In this episode of Living History with Alex, we sit down with Tom Oatmeyer, a U.S. Air Force rescue helicopter pilot who served over 21 years in the Air Force and later continued his career as a fire rescue helicopter pilot.

Tom shares how he began his military journey after graduating from the University of Florida, his transition from fixed-wing aircraft to helicopters, and what it was like flying combat rescue missions with specialized aircraft designed to recover downed pilots and special operators behind enemy lines.

He reflects on key historical moments such as Desert Storm, 9/11, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, including deploying to Kuwait and Iraq in 2003 and operating out of Baghdad International Airport during the early stages of the war.

One of the most powerful parts of this episode is Tom’s firsthand account of Hurricane Katrina, where he participated in night rescue missions, hoist operations, and civilian evacuations—often making split-second decisions that saved lives.

He also talks about life after active service, balancing military duty with fire rescue, and what service truly means both in uniform and beyond it.

🌟 Topics Covered:
🚁 U.S. Air Force rescue helicopter missions
🇺🇸 Service during Desert Storm, 9/11, and Iraq (2003)
🛩️ Transition from military aviation to fire rescue
🌪️ Hurricane Katrina rescue operations
💡 Leadership, service, and life lessons

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🔔 Stay tuned for more conversations that keep history alive.