Eric Lionheart

Expert Topics:

Mission:

Eradicate Suicide Among Our Air Force Combat Controller Teammates

  • The mental health crisis among Air Force Combat Controllers and why suicide rates remain so high.

  • How peer-to-peer support and community within elite units can literally save lives.

  • Early warning signs of suicidal ideation in high-performance warriors—and how teammates can intervene.

  • Lessons learned from combat and law enforcement that apply to resilience and post‑traumatic growth.

  • Practical strategies for military families to support operators quietly struggling at home.

  • Why stigma and career fears keep special operations members from seeking help—and how to change that culture.

  • The mission and impact of the First There Foundation in supporting Combat Controllers and Gold Star families.

  • Border security through the eyes of a combat‑tested operator: what works on the ground vs. in politics.

  • The importance of integrating faith, purpose, and service in long‑term recovery for veterans.

Eric Lionheart

Former U.S. Air Force Combat Controller | President, First There Foundation

Former U.S. Air Force Combat Controller Eric has an extensive law enforcement background which includes force protection and criminal investigations.

  • Former U.S. Air Force Combat Controller with frontline special operations experience.
  • President of the First There Foundation, focused on eradicating suicide among Air Force Combat Controllers.
  • Extensive law enforcement background, including force protection and criminal investigations.
  • Served on an Air Force police SWAT team (EST – Emergency Services Team).
  • Experienced in border security work and security operations across Texas and the southern U.S.
  • Worked alongside Secret Service agents in San Antonio on protection missions for Air Force One and other high‑level assets.
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Bio

Eric Lionheart is a former U.S. Air Force Combat Controller and now the president of the First There Foundation, an organization committed to eradicating suicide among Air Force Combat Controller teammates. Drawing on more than two decades of experience in security operations and management, he has served at the intersection of military, law enforcement, and national security.

During his Air Force career, Eric gained extensive expertise in force protection and criminal investigations, operating in demanding and high‑risk environments. He served on the U.S. Air Force police SWAT team known as the Emergency Services Team (EST), where he participated in critical incident response and high‑stakes tactical missions. His operational background spans work across Texas and the southern United States, giving him firsthand insight into both domestic security challenges and the stresses placed on those who stand on the front lines.

Eric’s experience also includes involvement in border security, where he has worked as a military and civilian border security legislation analyst, translating ground‑truth realities into actionable policy perspectives. He has worked alongside Secret Service agents in San Antonio on protective missions for Air Force One and other high‑value assets, further sharpening his understanding of strategic security, coordination, and threat mitigation.

Today, as president of the First There Foundation, Eric channels his operational and leadership experience into advocacy, prevention, and support for Combat Controllers and their families. He speaks candidly about the hidden costs of service, the culture of silence around mental health in elite units, and the urgent need for peer support and meaningful intervention. Eric’s mission‑driven work combines hard‑earned tactical expertise with a deep commitment to saving the lives of those who have sacrificed so much for their country.

Videos

Projects

Military Suicide Rates Are at an All-Time High; Here’s How We’re Trying to Help

The reasons for the Air Force increase are not fully understood, coming after years of effort by all of the military services to counter a problem that seems to defy solution.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, isolation became a global issue – but especially so for service members in quarantine. With military suicides increasing by 16% throughout 2020, the risks of isolation during quarantine in the military were noteworthy. Those infected while serving overseas, or troops who returned from deployment, were required to first complete a mandated 14-day quarantine before returning to duty or before finally being allowed to head home. These quarantines were made even more challenging by the fact that service members were not only isolated from others in their unit, but also from their loved ones and home.

First There was established to look after our own. We are in a unique position where we can speak and stand up for our brothers, who cannot because of possible Command punishment.

What is being done to our career field for the sake of furthering the woke movement and promotion is degrading, insulting, and extremely dangerous.

To lower training standards and push a woman through who has quit multiple times, will cost the lives of teammates.

We stand with the men of Combat Control who continue to hold the line and exceed the standards.

#combatcontrol #wehaveyour6 #dontlowerstandards #usaf #afsoc#endwokeairforce #holdtheline

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