Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal: Combat Camera 

Moving from city to city in Iraq, Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal captured the scenes of Operation Iraqi Freedom with his camera. Standing side-by-side with outside media agencies, Airman Hubenthal fought to tell the positive story of coalition forces liberating the Iraqi people.

Airman Hubenthal took photos for use in after-action reports and intelligence and reconnaissance briefings. His photography was used to plan for future operations and depict the brave efforts of American service members. Embracing the truism, “a picture is worth a thousand words,” his primary weapon was a Nikon digital camera. However, during Operation Arrowhead Ripper, a combat mission clearing a road leading the way for an explosive ordnance disposal team, Airman Hubenthal and his team took intense sniper fire, small-arms fire, and rocket-propelled grenades (RPG). As fire rained down from rooftops trapping the Army team, Airman Hubenthal continued to document the unfolding events. Photographs from this mission were used to brief the President of the United States on ground conditions in Iraq.

In the midst of Arrowhead Ripper, a Soldier was wounded by RPG shrapnel. Still under fire from snipers, Airman Hubenthal put down his camera and picked up the fallen Soldier’s weapon, acting as the point man for the injured Soldier’s security team. He successfully escorted the Soldier four blocks while under fire to a point where he could be medically evacuated.

Airman Hubenthal’s quick thinking and leadership not only preserved the life of the injured individual, but also exemplified our warrior ethos.