Defender rescues stranded driver during winter storm

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Kevin Wallace
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  Many Mountain Home Air Force Base personnel hunkered down Jan. 10, as Storm Gandalf dropped several inches of snow on the base.

Roads were nearly empty and the ongoing readiness exercise was put on pause.

However, for some Airmen, the morning was anything but tranquil.

One such Airman is Tech. Sgt. Barry Williams, 366th Security Forces Squadron.

Williams was enroute to check the off-base range when he came across a stranded driver just outside the main gate.

Williams, along with three other servicemembers who stopped to assist, rescued the driver, who'd slipped off the road and was stuck in deep snow.

According to Williams, Defenders can render first aid or respond to other emergency situations if dispatched. That was one of those circumstances.

"I'm just happy to be able to get this guy back on the road," said Williams, about the Airman who'd just finished a 12-hour shift and was heading home.

Many Airmen only correspond with Defenders when they pass through the gate, and don't often recognize that these Airmen are working and assisting in any weather condition, even if other personnel aren't required to report to work.

"Like other first responders as well as all servicemen and women, helping those in need is in our DNA," said Capt. Ryan Bodge, 366th SFS commander. "So far this morning, we've helped five motorists get back on the road and either home to their families or off to their duty-sections."