Heroes Spotlight: Meet Air Force Master Sergeant David J. Kretzer

Written By Liz Hensel - Content Coordinator

Master Sergeant Kretzer was born in Round Rock, Texas, and enlisted in the Air Force in July 2005 after graduating from Leander High School. After completing Basic Military Training and Technical Training he was assigned to Dyess AFB in 2005, then in 2010 was attached to the Joint Force Command Headquarters North Atlantic Treaty Organization in the Netherlands. He has compiled a wide range of experience through 6 deployments as well as serving with Joint Nations across the globe such as Iraq, Korea, Malaysia, Qatar, Alaska, Okinawa, Australia, and Afghanistan.

MSgt David J. Kretzer currently serves as an Acquisition Logistics Manager with the Acquisition Management and Integration Center (AMIC) Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Hampton Virginia. He provides overall direction, oversight, education, and coordination for AMIC logistics contractors.

What It Means to Serve

Serving in the Air Force goes far beyond just a job or a career; it's a way of life and a profound commitment to something greater than oneself. Serving in the military has meant dedicating my life to the protection and defense of my country, its values, and the people who call it home. It means being part of a team, a family, that shares a common mission and purpose. The bond forged with my fellow service members is unbreakable, and it's a privilege to stand alongside them in the face of adversity.

My wife, Erin, and my two children have been my unwavering source of support and motivation. They have made countless sacrifices and endured long separations, which reminds me of the importance of the work we do. Serving means safeguarding not only the freedoms we cherish but also the well-being of our loved ones and the promise of a better future for all. Having been deployed to Iraq, I understand the gravity of the missions we undertake. It means facing danger head-on, witnessing the realities of conflict, and the human cost it incurs. Serving means carrying the memories and experiences of those tours with me, a constant reminder of the price paid for the freedoms we enjoy.

Liz Hensel - Content Coordinator

Liz has been living in the Stafford area for the last two years. However, her ties are rooted to Virginia, as Virginia was her first duty station while she was on active duty with the Marine Corps. Her husband is still on active duty, and they hope to make Stafford their forever home with their two daughters and two rescue dogs.

While serving in the Marine Corps and Marine Corps reserves has allowed Liz to see all parts of the country and the world, there is truly no place like home. Working on this magazine gives Liz the opportunity to meet her neighbors and the local businesses and more importantly, she gets to showcase them to others.

Liz is also the founder of a nonprofit called Leave No Paws Behind USA. She led the campaign to have legislative change to include pet transportation fees included in military moves. With her leadership, the bill was passed in the FY23 National Defense Appropriation Act.

Liz is excited to continue to write the stories of the FXBG Neighbors

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