Story by Tech. Sgt. Tyler J. Bolken September 04, 2024 at 03:57PM In the heart of the Lincoln National Forest near the small mountain village of Ruidoso, New Mexico, a devastating wildfire threatened thousands of lives this past June. Amidst the chaos, Reserve Citizen Airman Tech. Sgt. Orlando Rodriguez stepped into the breach not just as a reservist but as a stalwart to his community. Rodriguez, senior enlisted leader for the 944th Operations Group Detachment 1 out of Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, began volunteer firefighting in his local community of High Rolls, New Mexico after exiting active-duty service in 2019. His decision to serve as a volunteer firefighter stemmed from a deeply rooted sense of duty to his community.
