SEPTEMBER 1, 2026 – Senior Airman Michael Tumang’s path to military service began long before he put on an Air Force uniform. Tumang, who is a Security Forces Airman assigned to the 75th Security Forces Squadron, was born and raised in the Philippines. Tumang grew up in a family with a proud history of military service.
His grandfather served in the U.S. Air Force, retiring in the Philippines after serving during the Vietnam War.
His great-grandfather fought as a Filipino Guerrilla Fighter, setting traps and resisting Japanese occupation. He was also a spy for the U.S. and was a survivor of the Bataan Death March.
Those stories of sacrifice shaped Tumang’s understanding of service from an early age.
When the chance to deploy to Iraq came up, Tumang didn’t hesitate to jump on the opportunity.
“I bugged my Unit Deployment Manager to get me on that deployment,” he said. “Because of the love that I have for my country, serving is something that I’ve always wanted to do.”
While deployed, Tumang served on a Quick Response Force (QRF). This is a team responsible for responding to emergencies across the installation. Their duties included investigating rocket and drone impacts, securing incident scenes, assisting Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel, and providing immediate response during attacks.
One afternoon, Tumang and his fellow wingmen were sitting around joking and distracting each other from the lows of deployment, until around 4:30 p.m. when the smiles disappeared.
Tumang and his fellow wingmen were inside their tent when incoming alarms suddenly sounded. Following standard procedures, everyone immediately dropped to the ground.
As Patriot missile systems intercepted incoming threats overhead, Tumang quickly assessed the situation and responded.
“We were all bunched up together,” he recalled. “I looked to my left and right, and I realized that if a rocket hit the tent, half of our team could be taken out.”
Recognizing the danger, Tumang directed everyone to move toward nearby armored vehicles, which offered greater protection for everyone.
As the team ran towards the rear exit, a 122 mm rocket struck the front entrance of the tent.
“The next thing I remember, I was in a truck waiting for my team,” he said. “Everything was a blur.”
Even after the explosion, the incoming alarms continued. Rather than leaving the area, Tumang repositioned the vehicle behind protective T-walls and awaited further instructions.
Fueled by adrenaline, Tumang immediately returned to action to save his fellow wingmen in danger.
The team was tasked with sweeping the airfield for unexploded ordnance and debris to ensure the installation remained safe.
For a while, Tumang moved around like he was invincible. That is until hours later, when his body broke down and the effects of the initial blast fully caught up with him.
“All of my adrenaline dumped out,” Tumang said. “I started throwing up everywhere.”
Senior Master Sergeant Stoll (ret.) saw Tumang in this state and immediately rushed him to the hospital, where medical personnel diagnosed him with a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Tumang credits much of his resilience to the leadership around him.
During the deployment, attacks occurred nearly every other day. This made the transition back to everyday life difficult. Returning home brought both relief and new challenges for Tumang.
“The feeling of being safe and not getting attacked anymore was pretty good,” Tumang said, “But there was still an adjustment because of PTSD.”
He sought professional help while relying heavily on the support of his family.
His wife, who was also deployed to Iraq at the same time, experienced the attack from another location on base. When the alarms sounded, she responded toward the damaged area and saw only the massive clouds rising above the tent.
Although they were not yet married during the deployment, the experience strengthened their bond.
“It was a concern that she was also going through this, but at the end of the day we were both trained and knew what to do,” Tumang said. “I’m just thankful that my wife and fellow wingmen were able to make it out alive.”
Reflecting on the attack, Tumang believes instinct and faith guided his decision to move everyone out of the tent moments before impact.
“I don’t know what happened,” he said. “I just got a gut feeling, and I thank God that I got everybody out before it landed on us.”
Years after the attack, Tumang was officially awarded the Purple Heart for wounds sustained during the rocket strike.
Although honored by the recognition, Tumang emphasized that the decoration represents far more than an individual accomplishment.
“I wasn’t out there looking to get a Purple Heart,” he said. “I was out there to protect Americans, represent my unit, represent Security Forces, and show people the work we do that often isn’t talked about.”
Tumang remains grateful for the teammates, leaders, and family members who stood beside him throughout recovery.
Tumang is especially grateful for Task Force Orion, noting that members of the team collectively earned Achievement Medals, Commendation Medals, Bronze Stars, and a Meritorious Unit Award for their actions during the deployment.
He also credits his wife and family for supporting him through physical therapy, medical treatment, and mental health appointments after returning home.
For Airmen preparing to deploy for the first time, Tumang offers straightforward advice.
“You never know when that call is going to come, and you’re going to have to answer it,” he said. “Stay in shape. Keep training. Know your job. Be resilient. There are going to be bad days and good days but remember to be resilient through the bad days.”
For Tumang, service has always been about more than wearing the uniform. It is a continuation of a family legacy rooted in sacrifice, strengthened by leadership and teamwork, and defined by answering the call when it matters most.
Story by Senior Airman Jamie Echols Jr.
2D Audiovisual Squadron