Photo By Airman 1st Class Bailey Wyman | U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dakota Ball, 1st Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, poses for a portrait at Hurlburt Field, Florida, April 17, 2024. Fire protection specialists are responsible for emergency management, natural disaster relief, and assisting local civilian fire departments when needed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Bailey Wyman)
HURLBURT FIELD, FL, UNITED STATES
04.18.2024
Story by Airman 1st Class Bailey Wyman
1st Special Operations Wing
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla.-- Photos of men in uniform lined the living room walls, casting a familial legacy of military service to all who entered it.
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dakota Ball, a 1st Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, envisioned a portrait of himself hanging in a frame next to the others.
“It was in every living room of every family member,” Ball said. “The long, rich heritage of military service from every male on my father’s side from before 1776 to current.”
Ball never questioned if he would serve. It was always a matter of when and which branch of service he would choose.
Growing up, Ball would conquer neighborhoods with his friends and pretend they were liberating each home from enemy forces. He watched every military movie he could, imagining that each day in the military would directly mirror them.
When the time came that Ball took his oath of enlistment and joined the U.S. Air Force, he knew unquestionably what he was meant to do.
“I chose fire protection for my job because my father had done it before me,” Ball said. “Hearing stories about being a firefighter from him fascinated me in my childhood and I believe I was always destined to become one myself.”
Ball knew that being a firefighter in the U.S. Air Force would come with its glory, but the job is no easy feat. He and his fellow Airmen stand by and wait for disaster to strike before becoming the wall that prevents its spread.
“This job means everything to me,” says Ball. “When people call us it’s usually for one of their worst days and knowing that we can respond to provide someone help from those situations gives me my purpose.”
In his experiences, Ball realized that no feat in his career is faced alone. Whether it was progressing in his career or responding to emergencies, Ball must be able to rely on his wingmen to be successful.
“It takes an army to get you where you want to go in the Air Force or anywhere in life really,” says Ball. “You can’t do military service alone, so having peers and mentors around you to inspire and expect the best from you is paramount.”
Ball understands that his role is no different than what's expected of his fellow Airmen. He strived to build a basis of knowledge that others could lean on when obstacles befall their path.
“Sergeant Ball has an extensive base of knowledge that can be relied upon to find answers when they’re needed,” says Tech. Sgt. Timothy Ingraham, 1st SOCES fire protection assistant chief. “He is an out-of-the-box thinker that brings ideas to the table rather than just problems with the expectation that someone else will find a solution.”
The world of being a firefighter in the military is an ever-changing one. While calls for duty range from local emergencies to overseas deployments, Ball's confident the individuals surrounding him will outpace the adversity that follows.
“Everyone here steps up without hesitation and takes care of their Airmen and wingmen,” Ball said. “It makes me beyond proud to be in an organization that can face this adversity and still manage to win awards for all the work we do here at Hurlburt.”
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