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Show HILLTOP TIMES top S3 T IME September 4, 2014 Airman saved lives 'the right way' BY SENIOR AIRMAN MADELYN BROWN 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs RAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — Last December, Senior Airman Cody Nunez, 21st Airlift Squadron, spent two weeks in Entebbe, Uganda providing humanitarian care to the war-torn Central African Republic. "We were there to support the Contingency Response Group by setting up security operations and providing resources such as power generators," said the C-17 Globemaster III loadmaster. "On the last day, the whole crew was packed up and ready to return home." Anticipating spending the holidays in the United States, the pilots prepared for take-off. Just as the jet's throttles were about to be pushed up, the flight home was halted. "We were asked to download cargo to accommodate for three patients," Nunez said. "We still weren't aware of the details of the situation, but we turned around and went back into parking. I knew that we would need to download about two pallets and 10 of our passengers to accommodate the patients and medics." Still in a fog of uncertainty, the crew turned the C-17 around. Upon returning to the parking ramp, Nunez witnessed three CV-22 Ospreys scattered with bullet holes and struggling to land on the flight line. "Of the three Ospreys, one was shot up pretty bad," the Washington native said. "It was spewing smoke and limping even as it was landing. We still had not been told what hap- HEIDE COUCH/U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Cody Nunez prepares the cargo floor for palletized cargo, Aug. 25, 2015. Nunez, a loadmaster with the 21st Airlift Squadron, Travis Air Force Base, Calif., has been selected to receive the General P.K. Carlton Award for Valor for heroic activity in the medical evacuation of three Navy Seals out of Uganda. ther delays. I had to let him know he could trust me; this is what I've been trained for. I told him I could do this as fast as possible and that we were going to get these guys on board. I said, 'We have to do this the right way because now, of all times, we cannot fail.' " As Nunez could hear the conscious service members in pain, he moved to action and climbed over vehicles to the front of the aircraft, and had the pallets downloaded within minutes. "The entire cargo space was packed wall to wall with passengers, a couple tractor trailers, a forklift and other gear," pened." Nuriez would later learn the three tilt rotor aircraft had suffered from small arms fire while flying over South Sudan to evacuate American citizens, he said. From the damaged aircraft, the patients in critical condition emerged along with an Army special forces captain. The captain gave the 23-year-old loadmaster two options: Either put the ramp all the way down and release the locks on the pallets, or perform a combat offload immediately. "I had to tell him no," Nunez said. "Not only is it against regulations but it would also cause fur- he said. "We were at maximum cargo." He worked with three other loadmasters. As Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Pickens operated the ramp, Senior Airman River Schell and Senior Airman Alexander Moncrief set up the litter stantions and kept the other passengers on board calm. The engines remained on and the aircraft began taxiing as soon as the patients were in place. "While we were taxiing, one of the patients began to flat line, and the medic let me know that he needed ground support," Nunez said. "I let the pilots know to hold the take-off, and I assisted the medic with Suicide prevention more than a month-long campaign long event is a reminder of everyone's 24/7, 365-day responsibility to be a true Wingman. That means knowing our fellow Airmen, family members, coworkers and what is happening in their lives, as well as being willing and able to support them when they are facing challenges that test their resilience. The Air Force has undertaken several initiatives to improve resilience for individuals and our communities. These efforts can be found under the umbrella of Comprehen- BY JONATHAN STOCK Air Force Surgeon General Public Affairs W ASHINGTON — All Airmen have a responsibility that last much longer than a one-month campaign. This responsibility extends beyond ourselves and includes our work environment, our families, friends, fellow Airmen and our communities. While Suicide Prevention Month is observed across the United States in September, the month- sive Airmen Fitness (CAF) which focuses on maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle across physical, mental, social and spiritual domains. Individuals practicing comprehensive fitness are more likely to seek help when needed and be able to identify risk factors and warning signs when an individual is off balance. "Prevention begins with each individual working to strengthen and maintain their overall well-being across all CAF domains, as well as being able to identify when others need help. A good Wingman offers help knowing what resources are available, and follows up to stand by their side throughout a challenge," said Lt. Col. Kathleen Crimmins, Air Force Suicide Prevention manager. "Assisting Airmen to get help... whether peer or professional, is what a Wingman does." A number of resources are available to include the Air Force Suicide Prevention website, the Airman's Guide for Assisting PersonSee PREVENTION I blankets and whatever else he needed." When the patient was stabilized, the C-17 was able to take off and begin its 45-minute flight to Nairobi, Kenya where the patients would receive further medical attention. "The patient flat lined again while in-flight," Nunez said. "This time the medic used the AED (automated external defibrillator) and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) to bring him back." Upon landing in Nairobi, Nunez disconnected the cargo chains, and helped carry one of the litters to the ambulance, he said. For his actions, Nunez has been selected to receive the General P.K. Carlton Award for Valor from the Airlift Tanker Association. Nominations for the award are based on demonstrated courage, strength, determination, bravery, and fearlessness during combat, contingency or humanitarian mission. He is scheduled to receive the award during the Airlift Tanker Association Annual Convention from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2. "My biggest concern the entire time was safety," he said. "Everyone on the crew was definitely part of the same team. Without them, we couldn't have gotten everything done as quickly, which was crucial." BIG SKY LAW FIRM, PLI.C. Are you thinking of Bankruptcy or Divorce? We can help. Call the experts: Benjamin Stoneman Joel G. 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