Air Force athletes in the World Class Athlete Program are pursuing places at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics while remaining active-duty service members during the war with Iran. Their dual role highlights how the military supports elite competitors while airmen are also undertaking combat operations, giving the athletes a prominent representative role beyond sport.

The programme allows selected personnel to train full time and compete internationally without leaving the Air Force. Fox News spoke with athletes including Chad Senior, Texas Tanner and Anita Alvarez about balancing elite performance with military service, as they work towards Olympic ambitions in a particularly demanding period for the force.