NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. —

Part 1: The Rescue

“I saw a life on the line and did what needed to be done.”

Before he earned the coveted Ranger tab, U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Trevor Thrasher-an aerospace medical technician at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, was ankle-deep in red-flag surf near his hometown of San Clemente, California, unaware that instinct and training would soon make him a hero.

“It was the last leave I took before Ranger School,” Thrasher said. “Just a classic summer day: big swells, packed beach, and strong rip currents.”

Thrasher had grown up in the ocean swimming, playing water polo, and working as a lifeguard. This background would prepare him for the day ahead as well as his journey graduating from Army Ranger School.

“My dad and I were body surfing, and we’d drifted down the beach a bit when I spotted two adolescents caught in a rip current,” he said. “One had made it back in, but the other was clearly struggling; he was being pulled out and looked panicked.”

Thrasher wasted no time. He swam toward the struggling swimmer, calling out to assess the situation, fighting the pull of the rip current.

“He said, ‘No, I’m not okay,’ and I could see it in his face; he was scared,” Thrasher said. “I told him, ‘Hey, I used to be a lifeguard, I’ve got you!’ Then I wrapped my arm around him and used the current to take us out a bit, away from the crashing waves.”

Despite no longer being on duty as a lifeguard, Thrasher used his training to keep the swimmer calm and in control until a lifeguard boat from the state beach patrol arrived to take over care. It was the same stretch of coastline he used to work on as a lifeguard, but that day, he wasn’t wearing a uniform for the state or his country; just acting on instinct.

“For me, it wasn’t anything crazy,” Thrasher said. “It was second nature. I had done it before. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.”

Part 2: The Ranger

Before the beach rescue proved his true character, Thrasher was securing approval to attend Army Ranger School. It was a process that required the endorsement of Col. Paul DeFlorio, the 99th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron commander, to confirm that Thrasher, an Air Force medic, possessed the determination to endure the rigors of the 62-day course.

“A lot of people think medics can’t lead, but I wanted to change that perception,” Thrasher said. “I didn’t want to just be the guy you call when you get hurt. I wanted to be the one you follow into the fight and the one who gets you home alive.”

DeFlorio interviewed Thrasher to understand his motivations and qualifications. The conversation assured DeFlorio that Thrasher could succeed at Ranger School.

“I think the benefit of Airmen participating in sister service training is immeasurable,” said DeFlorio. “We fight as a joint force, and anyone who has cross-trained like this is a force multiplier.”

Getting his commander’s approval wasn’t the only obstacle Thrasher had to take to secure his slot at Ranger School. He attended a pre-Ranger course at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis, Texas . The course simulated the physical and mental rigors he would endure, pushing him through intense field training, leadership evaluations and sleep deprivation. Before he knew it, Thrasher was on the way to Fort Moore, Georgia to begin the first phase of Ranger School, known as the Darby Phase.

During the Darby Phase, Thrasher completed the Ranger Physical Assessment, which included a five-mile run, 12-mile ruck march, land navigation and a combat water survival test. The next phase, the Mountain Phase, took place in the rugged terrain of Dahlonega, Georgia. It challenged students with mountaineering operations, combat patrols and leadership under fatigue.

“When everything is stripped away, such as food, sleep and comfort, you see people’s true character,” Thrasher said. “Leadership isn’t about how you perform when things are easy, but how you hold yourself when everything is hard.”

The final stretch of Ranger School was the Swamp Phase at Eglin AFB, Florida, designed to push students to their limits in a jungle-like environment, testing their ability to lead extended patrols in harsh conditions with minimal supplies. Successful completion of Ranger School earns the coveted Ranger tab, signifying the ability to lead in demanding environments.

“The military demands people who rise to the occasion,” Thrasher said. “Leadership means being ready to act at a moment’s notice, even when the future is uncertain.”

After graduating Ranger School, Thrasher went on to receive an early promotion under Airman below-the-zone and was awarded the Air and Space Achievement Medal. From his experience completing Ranger School and the beach rescue, one of Thrasher’s lasting lessons was learning to see stress as “a privilege of leadership.” He explained that he now views high-pressure situations not as burdens, but as opportunities to lead.

“The leadership quality Thrasher best demonstrates is humility,” DeFlorio said. “Despite being one of only 355 Airmen to ever earn a Ranger tab, receiving a medal for saving someone from drowning and earning below-the-zone promotion, he remains quiet, humble and reserved. He’s the prototypical quiet professional, and sometimes, the softer you speak, the more people listen.”

Pietermaritzburg’s AquaPark development at St Charles College has moved from concept to physical reality, with construction now at a critical phase and the Olympic-standard Myrtha pool set to arrive later this year.

The multi-million rand, world-class aquatics centre was unveiled at the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB) annual gala dinner last year.

AquaPark chief executive Theo Verster said the bold new vision for swimming, water polo and para-sport was becoming a reality.

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“This is about creating access and opportunity for all South Africans. From grassroots to high-performance, AquaPark will be a place where champions are made, where para-athletes and school teams train side-by-side, and where swimming becomes a part of every child’s journey,” said Verster.

He said the project, formerly known as the South African Aquatics Park (SAAP), has undergone a strategic rebrand to AquaPark — a simpler, more inclusive identity designed to reflect the facility’s purpose and impact.

Verster said at the heart of the development was the Myrtha competition pool, which is manufactured in Italy and used in 14 Olympic and World Championship venues around the world.

“Unlike traditional concrete pools, the Myrtha system uses modular stainless-steel panels laminated with PVC, offering fast installation, exceptional durability, and reduced maintenance.

The 52,5m pool features a movable bulkhead, allowing it to quickly shift from a single Olympic-length format to two 25m pools — a game-changer for training, water polo matches, and multi-event competitions

The shipping of the pool components will begin in July, with installation commencing on September 25. Verster said the facility will be ready for filling and testing by November, with full handover of the pool system expected by December 10, 2025.

“The pool is just one piece of the five-phase development plan, which also includes learn-to-swim pools, a gymnasium, hospitality areas, and warm-up facilities. Construction is moving rapidly through phase 2.

“The base slab is complete, plant rooms are in place, and the roof structure is scheduled for completion by September. The project remains on track to be operational by the end of 2025, with pilot events and training blocks planned for early 2026,” he said.

He said with construction progressing, the AquaPark team was actively seeking corporate sponsors, philanthropic donors, and aligned NGOs to support final development phases.

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“Opportunities include naming rights, event partnerships, funding for learn-to-swim initiatives, and support for para-sport programmes. This isn’t just about bricks and mortar.

“It’s about changing the landscape of aquatics in this country. And we’re inviting South Africa to help us finish strong,” said Verster.

St Charles College contributed initial funding of R18 million from its capital expenditure budget and has made land available for the project. College principal Allen van Blerk said the school has invested years into making the vision a reality.

“This is no longer a concept on paper — it’s becoming a physical landmark, and it will transform how South Africans access, train, and compete in aquatics.

The facility also anchors the larger Xhawula Precinct, a long-term development vision for the region that includes wellness, sport, education, and infrastructure upliftment

“For families, it means access to safe, high-quality swimming education. For athletes, it’s a high-performance base on par with international training centres,” said Van Blerk.