PRIEST RIVER - A hero is described as someone with courage who performs outstanding achievements or has noble tendencies. A person who will run into a dangerous situation as others flee.

These qualities shined in the DNA makeup of Staff Sgt. Afton M. Ponce (Thornton), one of four airman killed in a helicopter crash earlier this month, long before she had ever enlisted in the military. They were a recurring theme among all who knew and continue to pay tribute to the Priest River Lamanna High School graduate.

Staff Sgt. Ponce, 28, was serving as a Special Mission Aviator for the U.S. Air Force and assigned to the 56th Rescue Squadron at RAF Lakenheath, England, when she was killed in a HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter crash Jan. 7.

The crew was performing a low-level training mission at night on the Norfolk coast when the Pave Hawk, considered by many to be the safest helicopter in the USAF fleet, crashed inside a nature reserve outside a small village.

Capt. Christopher S. Stover, Capt. Sean M. Ruane and Tech. Sgt. Dale E. Mathews also perished in the crash, which is currently under investigation.

"We have to be mindful that these are military fliers and they are the best, of the best, of the best," Aviation expert Chris Yates told the BBC Today. He added, "It would be unusual, once we get through this investigation, to find that this was pilot error; it might be more mechanical fault."

Ponce had been on active duty since 2004 and served in the Air Force Honor Guard, participating in about 500 ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery.

She also assisted more than 125 children through a program for survivors of deceased airmen, a sign of her compassionate nature and big heart - traits that carry on through her family and friends.

"There will be someone having breakfast with their families this morning, with their loved ones, and the members of this crew will have helped make that happen by doing their job and saving their lives," said Colonel Kyle Robinson, 48th Wing Commander.

Depicting their bond as "inseparable," a longtime companion of Ponce remembered her friend as "amazing" and "open-hearted, open-minded loving person that everyone couldn't help but like."

"She loved animals and the outdoors," said Jamie Smith Donnelly, a friend and fellow graduate of Priest River Lamanna High School.

Donnelly recalled how both loved 4-H and riding horses, specifically bareback, when the pair became extremely close in junior high and would travel via trails they established and named back and forth to each other's house after school.

"She wasn't one to sit around the house. She loved the outdoors," Donnelly said. Adding, "I'm very thankful for the time I was able to spend with her."

Donnelly went on to talk about how big a heart Ponce had, both for her family and for any pet or local critter that might be in need of love. It was a way of life that would carry into Ponce's military career and life as an amazing mother and wife.

Ponce's husband is an airman as well, and she leaves behind two young sons, a 4-year old and 1-year old.

"It just shows her duty to country," Donnelly said. "To be such a wonderful mom and wife. To have kids and a husband she truly loved, and to still be able to serve her country and help others says a lot about how amazing she was."

Donnelly said it was hard to stay as close through a friendship over seas, but pointed out how Ponce had made a point to send her a message just weeks before the accident and let her know how in love and happy she was - sentiments in which her friend was able to find solace.

One of the most cherished students to grace the halls at Priest River Lamanna High School, Ponce made an impression on all that knew her, as "quiet and shy" but someone who genuinely cared for others and "a great friend once she opened up and you got to know her," according to Donnelly.

Resource Officer at the time and current WBCSD Trustee Tony Lamanna reinforced those feelings. "Afton was one of the nicest kids I've known," he said. "She had a beautiful smile. She was a model teen and I can't say enough about her."

"I saw her last summer and she was so proud of her staff sergeant rank. It's not an easy task but she has always been military," Lamanna added.

PRLHS held a moment of silence in honor of Ponce following the crash.

Ponce comes from a family chock-full of military members, including her father, and brother Ivan, who served as Marines, and brother Ethan who served in the Army.

She also had two sisters, Erin and Leah.

A memorial service was held at Sherman & Knapp Funeral Home in Priest River on Saturday, A full Military Honor Service followed at the Evergreen Cemetery in Priest River.

The Military Honor Service is open to the public, and encouraged for anyone wanting the chance to thank a local hero who laid her life on the line daily in an effort to make the world a better and safer place, or as the Air Force rescue creed states, someone who is willing to do "these things we do that others may live."

"Afton was an amazing person and friend," Donnely said. "She was a 'go-getter' and the type of person that once she thought it through, she was capable of doing anything."

"She always had the biggest smile and that's the one thing I try to remember. That she was in love and truly happy," her friend added.