HomeNewsFeatures

Features
Air Power

FEATURES

Airman exemplifies Wingman concept, saves life during mission

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Vincent Borden
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  No one knew Airman 1st Class William Dale was dying.

The last thing he remembered was leaning forward to ask his friend if he felt weird, too, but the question never came out. Instead, Airman Dale, a Fly Away Security Team member from the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, involuntarily leaned to his right and passed out.

Then, he started shaking.

"Hey quit it," said Airman 1st Class Thomas Everett , one of three other FAST team members traveling with Airman Dale. 

The C-130 Hercules they were on was headed to the Horn of Africa on a routine cargo mission and they were 45 minutes into the flight. As FAST members, their job was to protect the aircraft when it landed at an unconventional airstrip somewhere in the U.S Central Command's area of responsibility. 

This was serious work; no time for jokes.

"Stop messing around," Airman Everett said as he shook Airman Dale's knee. But there was something about Airman Dale's response, notably the lack of one, that made Airman Everett realize something was terribly wrong with his 19-year-old friend. The two were roommates during their technical training just a few months earlier.

Airman Dale was wearing an emergency passenger oxygen systems mechanism, designed to provide oxygen to passengers in case of in-flight emergencies. Just minutes before, the loadmaster of the aircraft had handed both Airman Everett and Airman Dale one each, telling them there was a high chance they would have to use it.

After the hydraulic pump on the aircraft exploded, creating a smoky haze in the cargo area, the loadmaster let them know that time was now. They immediately went through the procedure of putting the EPOS over their heads and pulling the red ball on the outside to start the flow of oxygen.

After a few moments, Airman Dale realized something was wrong, but by then it was too late to say anything. Fortunately, he didn't have to. Airman Everett had already sprung into action.

"I didn't know what was going on around me," said theRome, Ga., native. "All I could see was him. That was it. Somebody could have been talking to me. I don't remember."

He quickly took off Airman Dale's EPOS, and took the situation in. Airman Dale's eyes were rolled back in his head, and his skin had taken on a faint blue tint.

"I don't think I've ever been that scared," Airman Everett said of the scene. 

He sat Airman Dale upright, and checked his EPOS to make sure it was working. It wasn't. He pulled at the ball on the back, put it back over his head and kept asking Airman Dale if he was okay, waiting for a response as the oxygen slowly began to fill the bag. Airman Everett kept waiting for movement from his friend, who was possibly minutes away from dying in his arms.

The two other FAST members aboard the flight, Staff Sgt. Jae Paulsen and Airman 1st Class Renn Adair, watched the scene in nervous anticipation.

Then, after what seemed like an eternity, Airman Dale slowly shook his head and smiled. He was alright. Relieved, Airman Everett also smiled.

"Ten minutes after that he was up and moving," Airman Everett said. "It felt so good to see him get up."

Because of mechanical difficulty, the C-130 turned around and returned to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing. All the members onboard were given oxygen after exiting the aircraft and were immediately seen by the base medical staff.

After further check-up, Airman Dale, who had just become a father two days before, was cleared by doctors as having no side effects from the incident. He wonders what could have happened to him on the flight, and how it would have changed the lives of those he loves.

"My wife is okay," said the Columbia, S.C., native. "I think about what would have happened if ... you know. My baby girl wouldn't have a father. Or that I might have had brain damage if I would have been out a couple minutes longer."

After hearing of the incident, Tech. Sgt. James Seidel, the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces FAST coordinator, nominated Airman Everett for the Airman's Medal.

"He put service to his wingman above his own," Sergeant Seidel said.

The EPOS on the aircraft remain an item of interest. Maj. James Schumaker, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing safety office, said the investigation of the incident is currently ongoing.

As a result of the event, Airman Everett and Airman Dale's friendship is closer than ever. When they both return to their home station at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., they'll have an interesting story to tell everyone of their friendship.

"We were already good friends, but I have a lot more trust in him," Airman Dale said. "You know, I think I trusted him before, but not with my life. Now I know if I'm in trouble and need someone, I know who I want there."

Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link)

View the comments/letters page