Panther of the Week: Master Sgt. Robert Hotzfeld Published Aug. 24, 2015 460th Space Wing Public Affairs BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Name: Master Sgt. Robert Hotzfeld, 460th Medical Group first sergeant Length of Service: 18 years Hometown: Irvine, California Hobbies: Cycling, wood-working, home improvement, and spending time with family Unique fact: Fluent in sign language and morse code Master Sgt. Robert Hotzfeld enlisted in the the Air Force May 1997. His first assignment was Misawa, Japan, as a high-frequency signals operator, where he primarily copied old morse code. He then had a permanent change of station to Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado, where he became a satellite systems operator. From there he spent eight years overseas serving at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, Royal Air Force Feltwell, United Kingdom, and Osan AFB, Korea. While in Korea, he earned the rank of master sergeant and became the unit's additional duty first sergeant. After showing great leadership and people skills, he was vectored to become a first sergeant. Hotzfeld graduated from the First Sergeant Academy and PCS'd back to Buckley AFB. Hotzfeld is currently the first sergeant for the 460th Medical Group and will soon be taking over as the 460th Mission Support Group first sergeant. Hotzfeld's wife is also a master sergeant and is currently assigned to the 566th Intelligence Squadron. He has two kids, Ben, 15, and Katie, 10. His older brother also lives in Colorado and they enjoy attending hockey games together. Master Sgt. Hotzfeld has reached out into the community in many different ways. Most recently, he facilitated family travel, lodging and counseling for the family of a critically injured service member. He spent 45 hours in the hospital with the family to ensure their well being and communicated patient status through several agencies, guaranteeing the member received proper care. He also worked with donors in the local community to collect and distribute 35 backpacks full of school supplies for K-12 children and was able to collect 15 graphing calculators for new high-school students. Hotzfeld is also an avid supporter of Buckley Against Drunk Driving, where he volunteered 240 hours, providing safe rides home for Team Buckley members. -Col. Michael Kindt, 460th Space Wing Medical Group commander.