Heroes

Maj. Mike Brasher, 920th Rescue Wing helicopter pilot, holds his best friend and fellow crewmember, Katrina, during a recent visit to the 301st Rescue Squadron. Katrina is a 13-year-old beagle who became the squadron's mascot after the courageous canine assisted him and fellow crewmembers with rescuing victims of Hurricane Katrina during the tragic aftermath in 2005. After the beagle assisted with shepherding victims onto the helicopter for evacuation from one of the area?s overpasses, she became the last creature standing and Brasher?s crew swept her up in the helicopter. After dropping her off to safety, it took Brasher and his wife Melanie a month of searching until they found the dog again, and adopted her from a shelter where she ended up in Arizona. Thirty-two Airmen from the 920th Rescue Wing were awarded air medals for their outstanding performance in New Orleans where they rescued 1,043 people and some odd number of pets. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Cathleen Snow)