Holloman Airman gives first aid to injured civilian

  • Published
  • By Airman Leah Ferrante
  • 49th Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  On a day that most people were out celebrating Cinco de Mayo, one Airman from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., was on the side of the road providing first aid to an injured civilian outside Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.

Senior Airman Daniel (last name withheld)*, 6th Reconnaissance Squadron mission intelligence coordinator, was on leave in Las Vegas when he witnessed a man on a scooter get hit by a car. He was the first to stop and render aid.

"When I reached him, he was flailing around, and I thought he had broken something on his side," said Daniel. "He was bleeding, so I told him to lie still, and I stabilized his neck and tried to calm him down.

Luckily for the victim, Daniel was certified as a first responder, skilled in CPR and ground search and rescue - skills he learned before he joined the military.

"It wasn't about knowing what to do, it was just instinctive; when it comes to adrenaline, I'm just calm," Daniel said, who then proceeded to perform basic assessments on the victim to ensure the man did not further injure himself.

Maj. Earl Burress, Air Force Joint Test and Evaluation Program Office test development officer, saw the accident and immediately rushed to assist Daniel.

"My first reaction was 'Wow, somebody is hurt,'" said Burress. "When I arrived to the scene, Daniel was already there and was in total control. So I just made sure I was available to help him with whatever he needed."

"I could tell right from the start that Airman Daniel knew what he was doing, but I had no idea if he was military or not," Burress continued. "He showed great leadership by just reacting to the situation and not waiting for someone else to step in and help. Daniel was the only individual on scene to take action prior to my arrival, despite the presence of a small crowd of onlookers. I feel very proud that our young Airmen are ready for any challenges on or off-duty."

Burress and Daniel stayed with the man until an ambulance arrived and transported him for further treatment.

"Daniel took charge of the situation," Burress said. "His quick thinking, leadership and knowledge ensured that the injured rider did not complicate already severe injuries."

Daniel doesn't think what he did was anything special.

"We are here to help each other, its part of our integrity; I would have done it for anyone," he said. "Every day we can help someone's life better, It makes our live better."

*Editors Note: The last names of personnel connected to the Remotely Piloted Aircraft mission are omitted due to operational security constraints.