News>Feature - Airman returns to flying status after having part of leg amputated
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After receiving paperwork putting him back in flying status, Senior Airman Justus Bosquez took his first flight as an amputee March 25, 2013, at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. Bosquez's left leg was amputated in June 2011 after a hit-and-run motorcycle accident. Bosquez is an E-3 air surveillance technician with the 965th Airborne Air Control Squadron. (Courtesy photo)
Senior Airman Justus Bosquez worksout to maintain his physical training standards. His lower left leg was amputated following a motorcycle accident in 2011. After intense physical therapy, he is once again able to do the things he loves, such as exercising, dancing, and even flying. Bosquez received clearance to be put back into a flying status earlier this month. Bosquez is an E-3 air surveillance technician with the 965th Airborne Air Control Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kelly White)
by Brandice J. O'Brien
Tinker Air Force Base Public Affairs
4/11/2013 - TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. (AFNS) -- When Senior Airman Justus Bosquez walks down a narrow hallway in his airman battle uniform, he looks no different than his peers. Like many of them, he can do salsa, merengue and two-step dances. He can run a marathon wearing a 30-pound rucksack and he can perform his flying duties on an E-3 Sentry. The difference is he doesn't take those tasks for granted, not since his left calf and foot were amputated.
Bosquez lost his leg and foot in June 2011 following a hit-and-run crash caused when a vehicle traveling 80 mph on a city street rear-ended his motorcycle.
After 11 surgeries, including two amputations, two months in the hospital and six months of intense rehabilitation, he returned to work almost a year later, but not to flying duties. For that, he waited 10 more months as medical board waivers, clearances and approvals were made. He received his medical clearance to fly earlier this month and went on his first flight March 25.
He is most likely the first E-3 air surveillance technician and AWACS member to fly as an amputee. The records only go back as far as the early 2000s, officials said.
"It's like a finish line for me, and a starting point, too, as I'm a productive member of the Air Force -- going to fly, fight and win, as they say," said Bosquez, a 965th Airborne Air Control Squadron E-3 Air Surveillance technician. "It was fun and the most exciting part was when the wheels were going up in the wheel well and I knew we were really flying. It was a good mission. Hopefully next week I can go up again."
The accident happened on a Monday night, just before midnight. Bosquez had been hanging out with friends and purposely left early to avoid the alcohol-impaired drivers who would be leaving bars at closing time. He drove south on an interstate highway when he was hit and thrown from the motorcycle.
"I was pretty much in the air and basically saying, 'God save me' and the second thing was I knew I had to relax," Bosquez said. "When I landed, I was pretty angry because I was by myself and I had to make a tourniquet for my own leg and call the cops."
When he arrived at the University of Oklahoma Medical Center in Oklahoma City, a doctor touched the Airman's foot and asked him, "Can you feel this?"
"Everything in my body and mind was trying to say, 'Yes, I can.' But, when I said, 'I feel something,' the doctor said he wasn't touching me," Bosquez said.
The doctor then told him there was only a 10 percent chance of saving the leg and foot. Out of those odds, there was only a 1 in 5 chance that they would be as functional as they were before the accident. Bosquez gave the doctor permission to amputate the limbs.
"The next morning was surreal because I woke up to fluorescent lights and realized it wasn't a dream," he said. "Then I pulled back the covers and it was really gone."
In the next two months, Airman Bosquez endured 10 more surgeries - one to reconstruct the bones and nine to clean out the area. Following the operations, the Airman spent 30 days in occupational therapy at the Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation Hospital at Integris Southwest Medical Center in Oklahoma City.
When he left Jim Thorpe, Bosquez went to The Center for the Intrepid, a Wounded Warriors program in San Antonio, Texas. For six months, he faced intensive rehabilitation.
"That was probably my saving grace right there, because they were no joke when it comes to doing all the exercises," he said. "They started by telling me they weren't going to feel sorry for me, and I was going to do the exercises. I said, 'Ok, cool; awesome.' They weren't going to pity me and that's the last thing I wanted from anyone.
"I never really felt sorry for myself. Whenever people tell me I 'can't' do something, it makes me want to do something. I'm always a happy person and look at the brighter things because I know it could be worse," Bosquez said. "I probably shouldn't be alive today based on the way that accident went, but I'm here, so obviously I'm here for something."
Bosquez' s treatment began with walking, followed by jogging, swimming, core exercises, weights and rebuilding his muscle. In the hospital, he said he had lost 65 pounds. He graduated the program when he completed a marathon through mountains in Mexico carrying a 30-pound ruck sack.
"I think he's accomplished more than anyone could ever have accomplished in their dreams. He's so inspirational and shows people to never give up on life no matter how bad it gets," said Senior Airman James Brown, a good friend and 965th AACS Airborne Surveillance technician. "When he sets his mind on something, he will get it done because he has so much drive and determination."
When Bosquez returned to work in April 2012, he was determined to make his first day back like any previous day had been. Conscious of how he walked and held himself, he did his best to blend in.
But, that's not to say he didn't stand out. Since returning to work, he's gained the respect of many Airmen in his unit.
"He's inspirational and resilient," said Master Sgt. Stephen Stencel, the 965th AACS first sergeant. "He has a really positive attitude for what he's been through and the fact that he's back on flying status and he has to maintain the same physical training standards as the rest of the Air Force is amazing."
Longtime friend and peer, Staff Sgt. Efrem Allen said when he learned about Bosquez's amputation, he was shocked and pleasantly surprised by the Airman's attitude.
"I knew that Justus was a strong person, but the accident seemed to bring the best out of him. I honestly do not know one other person that could've bounced back as well as him, including myself," said Allen, a 965th AACS Senior Surveillance technician. "His generally upbeat demeanor never changed and not only is he walking again, but I've seen him outrun numerous people at PT. His hard work not only allowed him to stay active duty, but he's also returning to flying status. He is truly an inspiration."
Humbled by the kind words he often hears, the Airman said he's not trying to be anything more than he already is. When he's not at work, the Austin-native is pursuing a bachelor's degree from Rose State College, working out or spending time with friends or his dogs. He said he still enjoys sports including scuba diving, snowboarding and hunting.
"I am who I am, and people will see what they want to see," he said.
Comments
4/15/2013 3:40:39 PM ET Airman Justus Bosquez God Bless you your determination to make a full recovery is truly an inspiration to everyone.....Keep up the good work you do and your blessings will certainly continue to be showered on you.NAMASTE and thank you for all you do for our country..we have family members in the USAF and other branches God Bless our men and women who serve now and those in the past and future.
Maria Astillero, Philadelphia PA USA
4/14/2013 1:32:10 PM ET I love reading such stories as these. I am glad you made it back to flight status that is a great accomplishment in itself. Thank you for your service I thank GOD I was spared 'wartime' service. I am too old to be of any use to the Air Force now but I do not regret serving go USAF and GOD Bless the USA.
Larry D Grey, Daytona
4/14/2013 9:07:10 AM ET Congrats on proving you are an American AirmanBut please remember that SrA Brian Petras flew as an Amputee at Little Rock AFB. Biked across the US- ran the Little Rock Marathon and now the Boston the Marathon.
Temple, LRAFB
4/11/2013 10:09:08 AM ET What a marvelous inspirational story and an exceptional Airman. Most all our warriors are made of the best....
Bertie Moore, Gallatin TN
4/5/2013 6:50:29 PM ET Good on you Amazing story of perseverance and wanting to stay in the fight. You are an inspiration for all.
