Airman close to death, wingman stays by his side

  • Published
  • By Robin DeMark
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. (AFNS) --  What started as a stomach complaint one month ago for an Airman deployed to Joint Base Balad, Iraq, turned into an emergency medical evacuation.
Shortly after doctors at Joint Base Balad found fluid in Senior Airman Colton Brown's lungs, drainage tubes were placed, and he continued fighting for his life during medical evacuation from the Air Force Theater Hospital to Germany.

His wingman at his home station here knew something was seriously wrong, so he was determined to get to his side.

"On his way to Germany, he took a turn for the worse, and he had to have surgery," said Senior Airman Erving Perkins, an aircrew flight equipment technician assigned to the 4th Operations Support Squadron and Airman Brown's wingman. "Afterwards, he continued to have problems and was put on a ventilator. He couldn't fly to the continental U.S. until he was stabilized."

During the next medical evacuation to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., Airman Brown's body continued shutting down. His squadron leaders knew this was no typical illness and needed to get a wingman to his side.

"The deployed unit leadership had done a fantastic job keeping us and his family informed of Colton's status," said Lt. Col. Charles Wallace, the 4th OSS commander. "We were anxious to meet him at Walter Reed and knew that Airman Perkins was the perfect wingman for the job.

"We wanted to have a wingman at his side until recovery was assured and to assist his mother and daughter who were enroute to visit their warrior and hero," he said. "Airman Perkins was an emphatic volunteer who wanted to be there when Airman Brown arrived stateside."

While at Walter Reed, physicians at the Center for Infectious Disease diagnosed Airman Brown with a rare condition usually only read about in medical text books. A common mouth bacterium found its way into his lungs. At that point, the sac surrounding his heart was filling with fluid and more drainage tubes were added.

"I was the first one there when he was waking up from heavy sedation," Airman Perkins said. "He just looked blank and started moving around. I told him to try and calm down so the nurse could help him. He heard my voice but couldn't respond. When he realized it was me, it really made a difference, and he started to calm down."

Two liters of fluid were soon pumped out of his heart.

Unfortunately, his battle was not over. Scans revealed two more pockets of fluid at the bottom of his lungs. More drainage tubes were needed. Airman Perkins remained by his side while waiting for Airman Brown's mother to arrive.

"Airman Perkins was by his side when I arrived. My son had tubes everywhere," Beth Shanks said. "I was thankful he was there for our family providing an extra hand," she added. "What really brought tears to my eyes was to see his friend and my former husband, a retired Marine, standing by my son's side holding his hands while he was on the ventilator. I thought -- this is the heart of the military."

By mid-October, all of Airman Brown's drainage tubes were removed and physical therapy was his next challenge.

"During therapy, he could only ride a bike for five minutes," Airman Perkins said. "This took so much out of him. He kept strong and told me over and over how thankful he was that I was there for him."

While Airman Brown was recovering at Walter Reed, he and his wingman received a surprise visit from Daniel Ginsberg, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.

"He told us this is what the Air Force image and wingman concept is all about," Airman Perkins said. "He thanked and coined us both and spent time speaking with his mom."

Airman Perkins said his view of the Air Force has changed forever.

"This whole experience gave me a totally different perspective on our military services," Airman Perkins said. "From the time I arrived, there was an Air Force liaison there taking care of me, his family and his daughter. I saw the way the Air Force took care of us and how the Army hospital provided us rooms and daycare for his daughter without question. I wouldn't want anyone else caring for me or my wingman."

The experiences at Walter Reed and with the Air Force changed his mother's image of the military, as well.

"It's a shame we had to go through this, but the experience has been amazing," Ms. Shanks said. "The Air Force support system is tremendous; it's in place, and it's working -- nothing was missed.

"Everyone made sure our needs were consistently met," she said. "We were so fortunate to meet amazing people here at Walter Reed, they were with us every step of the way. We even had a visit from the wife of my son's commander in Iraq."

Ms. Shanks said her son is expected to have a complete recovery while receiving in-home care near Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio.

"Walter Reed Hospital put things in perspective for my son," Ms. Shanks said. "Most young men and women there are amputees and were a real inspiration to my son. My son kept telling me, 'I'm just sick and will be well in a year -- these military lives will never be the same. I still can't believe what everyone has done for me.'"

Both Airmen continue to embrace the wingman concept and extend it to their families.

Not only have they been friends and co-workers for the past three years, but they trust each other with what's closest to their heart. Airman Perkins is the godfather of Airman Brown's 1-year-old daughter, and Airman Brown will soon be the godfather of his wingman's daughter due in March.

"Every day I saw him, he would say, 'thank you for being here,' and tell me he would do the same for me," Airman Perkins said. "If I were in his shoes, I would want the same. We will be friends and wingmen for life."