Quick-acting Georgia Guardsmen save woman's life

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Roger Parsons
  • 116th Air Control Wing Public Affairs
What should have been a routine flight to McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas, Nev., turned into a lifesaving opportunity for three members of the 116th Security Forces Squadron headed to a pre-deployment training exercise at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., Aug 22.

Security forces personnel were traveling on a commercial flight when a passenger passed out and showed no signs of life. As the daughter of the passenger frantically tried to revive her mother, three Airmen from the 116th SFS stepped into action.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgts. Tim White and Dominick Andrews, with the 116th Air Control Wing, Georgia Air National Guard, lifted the daughter out of the way and immediately began performing CPR on the mother.

At the same time, Master Sgt. Richard Ross assisted a flight attendant in retrieving an oxygen tank and ensured the Airmen performing CPR had everything they needed.

"I have not seen or heard such clear authority in action since I was in the Army a number of years ago," said Allen Jones, son-in-law of the passenger being treated.

Shortly after starting CPR procedures, the mother responded to the treatment and regained consciousness. White and Andrews continued to monitor their patient and traded seats with other passengers so they could remain in close proximity for the remainder of the flight.

"If it had not been for the action and determination of these troops it would have been a terrible situation for our family," said Jones.

Unbeknownst to the Airmen performing CPR, a doctor on board the flight stood by, observed their actions and saw no need to inject or take any action of his own.

"This is a testament to the background and training of our personnel," said Lt. Col. Patrick Cotter, commander of the 116th SFS.

Cotter went on to share how the three Traditional Guardsmen, who were involved with saving the passenger's life, came to the Air National Guard from the U.S. Marines, U.S. Army, and the U.S. Air Force.

"These Airmen came together from different backgrounds and worked together flawlessly to save this woman's life," shared Cotter. "The synergistic efforts of these three are a representative of what our unit is about."

The 116th SFS is the security arm of the nation's sole E-8C Joint STARS flying operation. Flying out of Robins Air Force Base, Ga., the JSTARS wing provides joint airborne command and control, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and combat support forces to meet state and national objectives.