Independence native Blair Hansen has been a leader for a long time, and now he has the star to prove it.

The appointment was made nearly15 months ago but was not completed until this week. A 26-year Air Force veteran, Hansen said he is humbled by the appointment and views it as a culmination of hard work.

"Sure, it's been lots of work, but more a labor of love, so to speak," said Hansen, who graduated from Truman High School in 1972. "It's like that when you do something you like to do, something with great purpose, something bigger than oneself that benefits someone else."

It was a career that almost didn't happen.

After graduating from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1977 with a degree in journalism, Hansen went to work at the Shelbina Democrat and Monroe County Appeal, both in northeast Missouri. At the Appeal, based in Paris, Mo., he was the weekly newspaper's fourth editor in 106 years.

After nearly four years in journalism and in his mid-20s, Hansen wanted to take to the air.

"Like most folks in their mid-20s, I couldn't even imagine being old, like 40 or so, let alone 50," Hansen said. "In that context, I had no real thought or plan for my career. I did feel a pull to fly, though I had no experience that would correlate to an ability to do so."

Hansen would later prove his ability as a military pilot, compiling 3,500 flying hours and 110 combat missions. His performance has earned him the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Medal. Hansen also began to climb the command ranks, taking the helm of several operation groups, wing commands.

Today, Hansen is responsible for ensuring the 332nd Wing carries out combat tasks such as air mobility, F-16 fighter operations, search and rescue, medical and reconnaissance operations. The wing, Hansen said, is involved in combat support operations in 31 locations throughout Iraq.

Hansen and his wife, Sugin, have three children.

As he takes stock of his career, Hansen credits his father, Francis E. Hansen, for instilling integrity and being part of his motivation to join the Air Force.

The elder Hansen, a World War II veteran who now lives in Blue Springs, said his son is the result of a nurturing environment.

"You always hope your life matches (virtuous) precepts," the elder Hansen said. "He always had a sense of right and wrong. I think the influence of the church as well as our family and the people he associated with at church played a part in who he is."

"I consider service to your country the highest honor and privilege of a citizen and I know my son thinks so too."

More than ranks or medals, Hansen said his proudest achievement is helping the young men and women of the Air Force grow and the success they have spawned. He said his story is representative of the American Dream.

"I suppose my story is really an example of the opportunity that anybody has in our country," Hansen said. "I don't consider that I've really accomplished all that much personally; I've been fortunate to have the opportunity to work for some incredible people, in some challenging places, and in some interesting times."

To reach Andre Riley, e-mail [email protected] or call (816) 350-6362.