My Team

Some of the greatest people I got to work with while deployed with the 76th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron.

Memorial Day

"Dad, they're calling me a hero,
but all I did was what I thought was right.

A lot of kids would have done the same thing."

James J. Coon, US Army Specialist
Walnut Creek, California

Died April 4, 2007 

Awarded the Bronze Star for Valor

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Specialist Tofiga J. Tautolo, 23, of Wilmington, CA, was assigned to 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, CO. SPC Taulolo died in Bati Kot, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by an enemy improvised explosive device.

Even Hotter!!!

Today's lesson in regards to the Zoll Defibrillator is that the temperature maxes out at 113*F.

Hmm! Who knew?!?

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Specialist Vilmar Galarza Hernandez,  21, of Salinas, CA, was assigned to 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA. SPC Hernandez died in Zharay, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by an improvised explosive device.

Awe, the Maintainers!

Hanging out just before takeoff.

Gonna miss this team a lot!

Payback!

Well played TSgt DePriest! Well played!!!

Thank You

A year has been a long time.

A lot has happened.

There is still so much to do.

My resiliency has disappeared.

Thank you for not letting me get lost.

Thanks for helping me smile again.

Training the Air Force to Army Standards

I have had the joy of working with some amazingly talented flight crews with the Air Force's 71st Rescue Squadron. They are constantly teaching me aspects of their jobs. (Super fun for me!!!)

So today, they guys had me teach them a little of my job. A few of the members of the Flight Crew I get to work with really wanted to learn to start IVs. So we did!

And Ben, I am super proud of you!

One Hot HC-130

As the engines start, the heat can climb!!! After sitting in the hot sun all afternoon, the cabin of the aircraft is usually in the 104*F range. The hottest so far has been 107.3*F. Thankfully this amazingly unpleasant temperature usually only lasts a few minutes until the ramp and door are closed and the air conditioning has kicked in. But for those few minutes, it is rather uncomfortable.

The Things We Do...

"There's something going on in time and space, and beyond time and space, which, whether we like it or not, spells duty." - Winston Churchill

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Sergeant Brian L. Walker, 25, of Lucerne Valley, CA, was assigned to 425th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, AK. SGT Walker died in Bowri Tana, Afghanistan, of injuries caused by an improvised explosive device. Also killed was Army Pfc. Richard L. McNulty III.

The Things We Do...

Picnic Afghanistan Style

So, today the maintenance team was out at the aircraft most of the day. And it was a crazy hot day. I thought it would be fun to make them some waffles as a treat. My Commander taught me that I can substitute bananas for eggs, and boy are they delicious!

To make things a little more fun, I had a impromptu picnic on the right wing of Christine (one of the aircraft). As hot as it is during the day, it sure is nice at night.

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Specialist Chase S. Marta, 24, of Chico, CA, was assigned to 3rd Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC. SPC Marta died in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by an improvised explosive device. Also killed were Army Sgt. Jacob M. Schwallie and Army Pfc. Dustin D. Gross.

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Staff Sergeant Thomas K. Fogarty, 30, of Alameda, CA, was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, AK. SSG Fogarty died in Puli Alam, Afghanistan, from injuries caused by an improvised explosive device.

Somber Nurse's Week in Afghanistan

In the midst of our tragic loss, we must remember to celebrate who we are and the lives that will forever be changed because we were there to make a difference.
 

Dignified Transfer

Dignified Transfer of United States Army Nurse Captain Bruce Kevin Clark at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware.

Honoring a Fallen US Army Nurse Corp Officer

Army Captain and Nurse Corp Officer Bruce Kevin Clark, 43, of Spencerport, NY, was assigned to A Company, Troop Command, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, El Paso, TX. CPT Clark died in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan, of noncombat causes.