Navy maintainer saves life of Air Force medic

  • Published
  • By Capt. Eric Badger
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  For a Navy maintainer and Air Force medic, both stationed at this forward-deployed location, their first meeting was an unforgettable one. 

Petty Officer 1st Class Jerry Lego, Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron One structural mechanic, performed the Heimlich maneuver on Lt. Col. Lois MacDonald, 379th Expeditionary Medical Group Medical Operations Flight commander, as she was choking on her meal Oct. 28 at a base dining facility here. 

“I had aspirated a piece of potato which caused the obstruction,” Colonel MacDonald said. “Petty Officer Lego immediately recognized that I was in distress.” 

According to Petty Officer Lego, a former Heimlich maneuver instructor, he had just finished getting his dinner and was preparing to find a place to sit when he noticed the colonel standing near the salad bar. 

“She was hunched over as if something was wrong,” he said. “But she didn’t look like she was choking and she wasn’t in a panic. So I walked over to her to find out what was wrong.” 

According to the colonel, Petty Officer Lego followed the choking patient protocol perfectly. 

“He asked if I was okay and I shook my head ‘no’,” she said. “He asked me if I could speak and I shook my head ‘no’. He then told me to relax as best I could and he was going to help me.” 

Within seconds, he performed the Heimlich maneuver. After two thrusts the food was successfully dislodged. 

“After making sure I was okay, Petty Officer Lego went about his business as if to say this was just another day at the office for him,” Colonel MacDonald said. “As a medic myself, I have the deepest respect for his actions and reaction to the situation. He is truly a hero.” 

To show her appreciation for his life-saving actions, Colonel MacDonald and Lt. Col. Daniel Flynn, 379th EMDG deputy commander, presented Petty Officer Lego with a certificate of appreciation Nov.1. The petty officer also received a 379th Expeditionary Medical Group coin from Colonel Flynn and a 379th Air Expeditionary Wing coin from Col. Ted Kresge, 379th AEW commander. 

“I was happy to be able to help her,” Petty Officer Lego said. “In her line of work she saves lives everyday, and it is nice to return the favor.”