TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In a remarkable show of solidarity to support a fellow Airman battling cancer for the second time, 12 Airmen from the Reserve’s 312th Airlift Squadron at Travis Air Force Base, shaved their heads.
Master Sgt. Steven Hatfield, an Air Reserve Technician with the squadron, was diagnosed with Follicular Lymphoma in December of 2014. After several months of chemotherapy, he was pronounced cancer free. In April of 2019, he experienced pain in his abdominal region while performing his AF fitness test. Immediately after he went to the doctor, he was diagnosed with a hernia and also learned his cancer had returned.
His hair started to fall out as result of his chemotherapy treatments. Without hesitation, his squadron teammates transformed their heritage room into a makeshift barbershop and administered basic training style shearing to the volunteers, including Squadron Commander, Lt. Col. Ricardo Hiraldo.
“It’s a great gesture to alter your appearance so someone else doesn’t feel alone,” said Hiraldo.