Airmen assist convoy attack

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Sean E. Cobb
  • 447th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AFPN) --  During an Iraqi insurgent attack on an American convoy north of here March 24, time seemed to stand still, said Tech. Sgt. George B. Stewart.

“It seemed like forever,” said the Airman from the 447th Air Expeditionary Security Force Squadron. Squadron Airmen credit Sergeant Stewart, their independent-duty medical technician, with stabilizing and preparing three wounded servicemembers for an aeromedical evacuation during the action.

One Soldier was killed and three servicemembers were wounded. Three Iraqi insurgents were also killed, and one was wounded.

No matter how long the action lasted, it started quickly.

“The vehicles in front of us stopped -- then we heard weapons fire,” said Senior Master Sgt. Richard Parsons, the Air Force convoy commander.

Airmen witnessed several servicemembers in front of the Air Force portion of the convoy on the ground and wounded; then they said they zeroed in on muzzle flashes along a roadside tree line.

“(Airman 1st Class Shina Watkins) just opened fire and started blasting away,” said 1st Lt. Leo Baustian, the convoy’s intelligence officer.

Airman Watkins, a 447th SFS fire team member, was manning one of the turret guns. She was “right on the money,” laying down cover fire as the remainder of the security forces began getting into position, he said.

Airman Watkins was not the only turret gunner laying down fire. Toward the head of the convoy, Airman 1st Class Raul Mexicano also returned fire.

“He had my back,” Airman Watkins said. “I stayed on top and did what I was supposed to do because I knew he was doing what he was supposed to do.”

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Baustian and Staff Sgt. Kurt McNeely, a civil engineer readiness noncommissioned officer assigned to the 447th SFS, fired on the muzzle flashes as the rest of the security forces Airmen began maneuvering into place.

“They all followed standard operating procedure,” Sergeant Parsons said. “I saw outstanding fire control and discipline. The whole team did everything we were trained to do.”

During the firefight, Sergeant Parsons directed Sergeant Stewart toward the wounded servicemembers.

“I knew we had to get them some help, and I knew our medic could do it,” Sergeant Parsons said.

The medic wasted no time. Sergeant Stewart tended the wounded where they fell, he said.

“He just jumped out of the vehicle and got busy,” said Tech. Sgt. Ed James, the Air Force assistant convoy commander.

“I saw a lot of people going above and beyond,” Sergeant Stewart said. “We are a team out there, and we took care of each other.”

During vehicle maneuvers in the midst of the firefight, Sergeant Parsons’ elbow was dislocated, and he sustained bruises to his ribs and hip.

Sergeant Parsons and the other wounded were immediately taken by helicopter to an Army medical treatment facility near here, while Sergeant James rallied up the Air Force portion of the convoy and got them safely out of the area.

“We executed the plan just like we have been trained to do,” Sergeant James said.

The squadron did more than 85 training convoys before coming here from Moody Air Force Base, Ga.

“While the Army routinely runs convoys in the most dangerous parts of Iraq, not many people know the Air Force runs convoys too,” said Maj. Scott Farrar, the squadron’s commander.

“It’s kind of funny, but after it was all over with, I sat there in the helicopter and simply felt like I did my day’s work,” Sergeant Parsons said.