The Good Life – November-December 2021

LOCAL HERO | TOM KRABBENHOFT
The only thought
I had was I was going
to get sucked out of
the helicopter. I was
completely sold on the
idea that I was doomed.
grabbed a nylon harness; I was not strapped
into the helicopter," said Krabbenhoft. "I
was thrown forward a couple of feet and hit
a door lined up with a firewall closet where
it's open on the bottom. It was absolutely
terrifying; I could feel the wind rushing and
the helicopter beneath me. It sounded like
I was in the middle of 20 trains. The only
thought I had was I was going to get sucked
out of the helicopter. I was completely sold
on the idea that I was doomed."
Of the 19 individuals on the helicopter, all
survived, but sustained injuries ranging
from mild to serious. Krabbenhoft didn't
realize how bad his injuries were until
several weeks later when issues with his
legs and spine showed up. He was unable to
do the things he loved to do in Infantry and
transferred to the Air Guard to serve in a
Logistics role. Despite the fact that none of
his leadership education credits transferred
and the sense of loss for losing the combat
aspect of his work, Krabbenhoft enjoyed the
brotherhood of his new unit.
Serving Post 9/11
Following the events of 9/11 in 2001,
Krabbenhoft took a full-time job at the
Air Guard, managing weapons and war
readiness materials. "Like most people, my
life was forever changed when the second
plane hit. I realized things were never
going to be the way they had been," said
Krabbenhoft.
It was absolutely terrifying;
I could feel the wind rushing and the
helicopter beneath me. It sounded like
I was in the middle of 20 trains.
32 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com
In 2009, he was deployed to the Middle
East. Although Krabbenhoft's deployment
was intended to last six months, a lifethreatening
infection cut his time short in
the most poignant experience of his life. He
was given a verdict of less than 24 hours to
live in a location where advanced medical
care was not available. Krabbenhoft had the
option of either being sent in his uniform
to a high-risk area known for American
kidnappings or to take his chances at the
base. He chose to try his luck on base where
doctors promised to give him all the knockout
punches they had.