Air Force athletes are training for the Olympics through the World Class Athlete Program (WCAP), which allows them to train full-time while on active duty. Airman First Class Anita Alvarez, 2nd Lt. Texas Tanner, and 1st Lt. Wyatt Hendrickson are among those training for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

WCAP Program

The WCAP program’s mission has taken on added weight since the U.S. Central Command launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran. The program allows elite athletes to compete at the highest level, promote the service, and attempt to qualify for the Olympic Games.

Alvarez, a established Olympic medalist, entered the Air Force as part of the WCAP program. She has won two World Cup bronze medals and a team acrobatic gold medal since joining the service. Tanner, a Sheridan, Wyoming native, completed one of the strongest throwing careers in Air Force Academy history and won his first senior national championship in the discus.

Hendrickson, a graduate of the Air Force Academy, used his final season of college eligibility at Oklahoma State while serving on active duty through the WCAP program. He won the NCAA heavyweight wrestling championship and finished the season undefeated.

Transition to Military Operations

Retired Air Force combat rescue officer Chad Senior is an example of how an elite athlete’s experience can translate into operational military service. Senior competed in modern pentathlon through the Army’s World Class Athlete Program and later became an Air Force combat rescue officer, serving with the 920th Rescue Wing and 308th Rescue Squadron.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.