Airman under fire; Pararescueman saves two girls Published July 17, 2008 By Capt. Amy Cooper Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFPN) -- The day started out as normal as they do in a combat area of Afghanistan, said Tech. Sgt. Clinton Beck, a pararescueman with the 24th Special Tactics Squadron. He awoke with his team of elite special operators and began planning the day's mission, he said. As the team approached their target, they came under enemy fire. They could see that there were several Afghan women and children caught in the dangerous crossfire. After consulting his team leader, Sergeant Beck sprinted across the battlefield to aid a 14-year-old girl shot in the femur. He moved the girl to safety, treated her severe bleeding, and splinted her leg. The pararescueman then risked his life a second time, coming to the aid of a 4-year-old girl shot in the arm. After he controlled her bleeding, Sergeant Beck again exposed himself to enemy fire, carrying the child 50 meters to a casualty collection point. Throughout the operation, Sergeant Beck remained focused on the mission at hand -- treating the young victims. "It's difficult, but the military does a good job of training you to think about it later," said Sergeant Beck, referring to the young age of his victims. "My mindset was getting them out of there safely and alive." Sergeant Beck not only provided care to the wounded Afghan girls, but also treated an enemy combatant as well. "We treat the enemy combatants just the same as we would an American soldier," the pararescueman said. "You never know if the person you're treating can provide information that may help on another mission." After tending to the enemy soldier, Sergeant Beck returned to the girls. One of the girls began going into hypotensive shock; he immediately took action and reversed the girl's circulatory and respiratory collapse. Following 45 minutes of gunfire, the team prepared to medevac the girls. He stayed with the patients until handing them off to a surgical team. In total, he provided about five hours of medical treatment to the wounded children during the seven-hour mission. "In my previous job, I provided up to eight hours of care during civil rescues," Sergeant Beck said. "I had never provided care that long in combat." Sergeant Beck credits the training he and other pararescuemen receive for enabling the successful mission. "We try to do pretty realistic training, including getting used to having bombs going off around you and aggressors shooting back at you," he said. "It's chaotic, but my first priority is my team and myself." Sergeant Beck's supervisor calls him a "highly skilled, seasoned and combat-proven NCO and pararescueman." The Noncommissioned Officers Association recently announced Sergeant Beck as the recipient of the Air Force's 2008 Vanguard Award, which they sponsor, for his actions during the April 2007 firefight. The award recognizes an NCO who has performed a heroic act, on or off duty, which resulted in saving lives or preventing serious injury. Sergeant Beck insists he's just one of many Air Force pararescueman capable of performing just as well under fire. "I got recognized for the award, but I've got 25 guys on my team who are doing the same thing every day," he said. "The stuff we're doing is what PJs are trained to do -- kill the bad guys and save the good guys." If you're an 18-year-old kid who's looking to be a part of something that's bigger than yourself, this is the job, he said. The reason why we train and work so hard is not just (about saving lives) -- it's for the guy to your left and right. "You get to do some jumping and some diving; if at the end of the day you get to save some lives, that's the icing on the cake," the pararescueman said. Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link) View the comments/letters page