Ashley Brokop

Air Force combat veteran, wife, and mother of three, Ashley Brokop, served as a breaking news, military alert, and aerial combat photographer over her eight-year career. Her byline includes photos from Saddam Hussein’s trial, gritty Iraq combat imagery, dynamic photos of the Pakistan earthquake and Hurricane Katrina rescue efforts, and other key world events. After Ashley and her fellow Air Force husband, Bill, welcomed their son, Wesley, into the world, managing a dual-military family with long hours, temporary duties and overseas deployments became a strain. Ashley made the difficult decision to separate from service, allowing her to be home for her growing family. In the years following service, Ashley’s identity became more synonymous with being a wife and mother, and less with being a military veteran. She started a small photography business, gave birth to two daughters, Betsy and Abby, and home schooled their three children. She currently resides in Indian Land, SC, with her now-retired husband, Bill, and two daughters. Her son Wesley has just left home for Air Force basic training.