WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio -- My daughter and I used to watch the first season of Heroes as diligently as possible, and we would see how the different abilities of the characters would evolve. 

There were also the comic book heroes, Superman, Spiderman, The Incredibles and others. But as the world fulfills the Biblical prophecy of there being "wars and rumors of wars," there arise heroes who courageously and selflessly defend the freedoms of the citizens of our country and our allies. I learned of one of those heroes a few days ago while searching Air Force Link. His name is Capt. Johnathan Bennett. 

Capt. Bennett, action officer, Nuclear Security Forces Staff, within Air Force Materiel Command, deployed to Iraq in August 2005 and served a year-long tour, after which he came to Wright-Patterson AFB. 

In Iraq, he was the base defense commander in security forces, training 220 Iraqi Army members in combat patrol, base defense and combat skills. Just one month into his deployment, September 14, 2005, he and his team were traveling a main supply route from Baghdad when his convoy was ambushed. He quickly directed his team to counter the enemy's attack by firing toward the enemy with suppressive fire. His actions resulted in there being no Coalition casualties. 

For his quick thinking and selfless actions, Capt. Bennett was awarded the Bronze Star  Sept. 14, 2006. I asked him what he can attribute his quick-thinking to and what advice he could give other airmen who serve. He said, "The peacetime training I received helped me immensely over there." 

"Take training seriously; it could be a matter of life and death," said Capt. Bennett. "What our airmen are doing over there, they're going above and beyond." 

He has a wife and four children, who are 16, 13, 5 and 2, and they support Capt. Bennett in his service to our country. He has 17 years of service in security forces, 10 of which were served as an enlisted troop. 

If I could have one wish for Christmas, it would be for us to have peace on earth, but until that time, I just want to say, "Thank you Capt. Bennett for your service and for being one of the heroes among us."