Seven U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada were honored by the Air Force now for acts of heroism during a hiking trip in Utah earlier this month.
According to the Air Force, the Airmen rescued 4 people, including a pregnant woman, when flash flooding hit Zion National Park. The Airmen were honored Monday during a coining ceremony.
Airman 1st Classes Will Martin, Demarcus Norman, Maximos Olade, Jacob Stillwell, and Rony Lopez-Aguilar, plus Airmen Andres Parra and Christian Reyes were hiking along a popular hiking trail when the Air Force says Martin noticed the river rising.
Norman acted quickly and was able to pull the woman from the river to the shore. The group says she was barely responsive for an hour as the team called for help.
The Airmen were advised by rescue personnel to move down the canyon to an area where air evacuations would be possible. As they made their way, the woman they rescued from the river told them that she was pregnant and had been traveling with three others.
The team eventually reunited the woman with her husband and encountered the other two people. One of the others was on the opposite side of the river with an injured knee. Another female traveler appeared to be alright, having been pushed to safety by the rushing water.
To save the man on the other side of the river, the Airmen formed a human chain to get him across. Linked arm-in-arm, the team was able to bring the man across the rushing waters and transported the victims to safety, where they could be air-evacuated.
The Air Force says the Airmen exemplified, "the Air Force's core values of Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do."
Airmen Honored for Flash Flood Rescue at Zion National Park
The seven Airmen, all of whom are junior enlisted, have only been in service for less than a year but have already exemplified what it truly means to be an Airman. The seven Airmen, all of whom are junior enlisted, have only been in service for less than a year but have already exemplified what it truly means to be an Airman. They acted swiftly and bravely to save lives in a life-or-death situation.
The Rescue Effort
The Airmen’s quick thinking and decisive actions saved the lives of the four hikers. The Airmen spotted the woman floating in the river and immediately went to her aid. They formed a human chain to get a hiker who was injured across the river, demonstrating a commitment to helping others. The Airmen also showed great courage in facing the dangerous conditions of the flash flood, demonstrating their dedication to their fellow airmen and to their core values of the Air Force.
A Testament to the Air Force's Core Values
The Air Force has recognized the Airmen for their heroism, commending them for demonstrating the Air Force's core values of integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do. The Airmen's actions are a testament to the Air Force's commitment to service and to the importance of teamwork. This incident is a reminder that bravery and heroism can be found in the most unexpected places.
A Reminder of the Power of Human Courage
The Airmen's actions are a testament to the power of human courage and compassion. Their bravery in the face of danger is an inspiration to us all. The Airmen's rescue of the four hikers, including a pregnant woman, is a story of hope and heroism. It highlights the commitment of those who serve in the U.S. Air Force to uphold the core values of integrity, service before self, and excellence.
