Medical Airmen ready Soldiers for medal ceremony

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tong Duong
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq (AFNS) --  Working as gently as they could, medical Airmen from an intensive care and in-patient care unit helped ready two injured Soldiers for a Purple Heart ceremony Jan. 4.

The Soldiers of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, were injured just days earlier in an improvised explosive device attack. They were on their way to train members of the 20th Iraqi army brigade when they were attacked near the city of Abu Sayada, 45 miles northeast of Baghdad.

Army Lt. Col. Robert Forte, the 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 25th Infantry Division deputy commander, presented the Purple Hearts to Army 1st Lt. Corey Bunch and Army Cpl. Paul Vanlinder.

"I am incredibly honored (to present the medals)," Colonel Forte said. "They risk their lives every day to do the missions required of them and are the very best America has to offer. The Air Force's care for our Army patients has been transparent ... it was smooth and no issues occurred. Our guys are getting good care."

The Airmen at the Air Force Theater Hospital who provide emergency care to stabilize and prepare service members injured in the U.S. Central Commands area of responsibility for future medical attention take pride in what they do.

"All members in the intensive care and in-patient care unit play a part in the response to trauma in the facility and 'rise to whatever and whenever the occasion' to treat wounded warriors," said Maj. Charlotte Knight, the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group intensive care unit and in-patient care ward flight commander.

Airman 1st Class Anastacia Barela, a 332nd Expeditionary Medical Operation Squadron aerospace medicine technician, provided care for the two Soldiers and was glad she could contribute.

"I hate seeing our service members get hurt this way, so we make sure they are comfortable and can call their family or unit as much as possible," she said. "I'm proud of them, and it's an honor to not only witness, but be part of the ceremony."

Major Knight helped to stabilize the Soldiers' conditions to prepare them for the event, and said she was happy to see the two receive their medal.

"I actually responded and provided primary care to one of the members yesterday," Major Knight said. "It makes me proud to witness them being recognized for their ultimate service to our country."