Prides of the Pack: Capt. Morgan Engling, 1st Lt. Nathan Hocking

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  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  On Oct. 4, Capt. Morgan Engling and 1st Lt. Nathan Hocking were named as Kunsan's weekly "Pride of the Pack."

What they did

Upon arrival at a military lodging facility Sept. 21, Capt. Morgan Engling and 1st Lt. Nathan Hocking recognized an opportunity to engage in pro-social bystander intervention while traveling. While checking in, Engling saw a man dragging a woman out of the hotel by her neck and decided to follow. Hocking also caught sight of this and followed them out. Once outside, they witnessed the woman trying frantically to escape the man's grasp as he attempted to force her into his own car. Hocking stepped forward and directed the man to stand down while Engling escorted the woman back into the hotel.

Later, the two learned this was her abusive husband, and they had saved her from what might have been her routine treatment. They stayed with her for several hours while police reports were taken and until a friend showed up to provide her a safe place to stay.

Throughout this event, there were no other offers to help and bystanders continued to watch. It is admirable that Engling and Hocking put their own safety at risk to ensure the safety of another. They deserve this recognition before the wing as this is the Wingman concept we all should embody.

-Submitted by Capt. Brandon Alford, 8th Fighter Wing executive officer and sexual assault response coordinator


What they have to say about it


Both Engling and Hocking credit their quick response to the training and influence they received from Alford in his roles as SARC and Wingman.


"Alford unknowingly orchestrated our response to this event because of the way he conducts himself on a day-to-day basis," said Hocking. "Credit goes to him for his hard work and teaching each of us vigilance."


Engling added, ""We were not scared to chase down the offender, and we want others to feel empowered to do the same if the situation seems wrong. Alford's example inspired me as a bystander to intervene when I witnessed what I thought may have potentially led to a sexual assault."


A little more about them

Name: 1st Lt. Nathan Hocking

Unit: 8th Operations Support Squadron

Job: Airfield operations flight director of operations

Hometown: I'm an Air Force brat, but I like to claim Colorado Springs, Colo.

Hobbies: Running, swimming, reading, audiophile, fantasy football, music, hiking, mountain biking, golf, undefeated foosball champion, howling at the moon

Favorite music: Christian rap, alternative rock, jazz, classic rock, hip-hop, classical

Follow-on base: Not sure yet, but I'm hoping for Hill Air Force Base, Utah, the U.S. Air Force Academy or Hurlburt Field, Fla.

Last good movie you saw: White Fang

Best things you've done here: 1) Worked on an NCO's award package that is now competing at the major command level and 2) Being a member of the undefeated 8th Operations Group sprint team - we finished in 7:15, the fastest of 12 teams during the Kunsan Olympics, and the undefeated OG flag football team.

Name: Capt. Morgan Engling

Unit: 8th Fighter Wing Judge Advocate

Job: Chief of civil law

Hometown: Dubuque, Iowa

Hobbies: Fencing, running, hiking, fishing

Favorite music: Jazz

Follow-on base: Unknown

Last good movie you saw: Super 8

Best thing you've done here: I ran a half marathon at the DMZ