Misawa Airmen rescue Japanese citizen

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Phillip Butterfield
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  A bus of Airmen and their families experienced a life changing event Aug.15, after enjoying a night of celebrating a child's birthday and bidding farewell to a fellow Airman. 

Eight Airmen saved the life of a Japanese citizen when they pulled him away from a house and car that were engulfed in flames. These modern-day heroes stabilized the man and prevented further injuries to the gathering crowd. 

Approximately 15 minutes into their return trip, they noticed a car, buried in a house, and the wreckage aflame. Through the inferno, a motionless body was seen lying next to a burning car. Not willing to leave a person in such a state, the Airmen decided it was time for action. 

"When we arrived at the scene of the accident, we heard someone say, there's a guy hurt out there," said Airman First Class Aaron Lauer, 35th Maintenance Operations Squadron production analyst. "I and several others jumped off the bus and ran over to him. He was lying a few feet from the car, and we knew we had to get this guy away from it before it exploded. The car was extremely hot, and I remember it was hard to breath." 

After pulling the limp victim to safety, Tech. Sgt. Rory Stark, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal technician, and Senior Airman Thomas Sullivan, 35th Medical Support Squadron shipping section supervisor, along with five other Airmen, put their Air Force training into practice. Together they determined the full extent of his injuries and rendered the appropriate life-saving techniques. 

"We checked his vitals and gave him a good look over," said Airman First Class Justin Bunton, 35th CES firefighter. "He was breathing fine but in a lot of pain and not moving very much. I held him still while Stark and Sullivan looked the guy over and kept him awake until the ambulance and fire department showed up." 

As the first team of life-savers remained with the man, Staff Sgt. Brian Johnson, 35th CES operations manager, set up a safe area opening only when the ambulance and fire truck arrived. 

Staff Sgt Anthony Germany, 35th Maintenance Squadron avionics intermediate section production supervisor, and Senior Airman Mark Sundita, 35th MXS stock pile surveillance and munitions inspector, added a helping hand to perimeter security. 

With the scene now in the capable hands of the Japanese paramedics, the Airmen re-boarded the bus for the rest of their journey home. 

"The bus ride home was a somber one," said Sergeant Germany. "Everything was moving so quick, I think the training we received from the Air Force really came in handy. If I was lying next to a car injured, I would want people to stop and help me."