Dragon Airmen recognition

Col. George Tombe, 81st Training Group commander, administers the oath of enlistment to the nine Training Group’s newest Airmen promotees during a dragon recognition presentation Dec. 3, 2013, behind the Levitow Training Support Facility, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. The ceremony reinforced their commitment as they take on new responsibilities with their new promotion. The event also included the announcements of Airman of the Month, military training flight of the Month for November and two achievement medals. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Dragon Airmen recognition

Lt. Col. Michelle Carns, 338th Training Squadron commander, presents Airman David Gaylord and Airman 1st Class Duke Marino, 338th Training Squadron, with the Air Force Achievement Medal for their life saving efforts performed in October during a dragon recognition presentation Dec. 3, 2013, behind the Levitow Training Support Facility, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. The event also included Col. George Tombe, 81st Training Group commander, administering the oath of enlistment to the nine Training Group’s newest Airmen promotees, as well as the announcements of the Airman of the Month and the military training flight of the Month for November. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Dragon Airmen recognition

The Air Force Achievement Medal was presented by Lt. Col. Michelle Carns, 338th Training Squadron commander, to Airman David Gaylord and Airman 1st Class Duke Marino, 338th TRS, for their life saving efforts performed in October during a dragon recognition presentation Dec. 3, 2013, behind the Levitow Training Support Facility, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. The event also included Col. George Tombe, 81st Training Group commander, administering the oath of enlistment to the nine Training Group’s newest Airmen promotees, as well as the announcements of the Airman of the Month and the military training flight of the Month for November. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Airmen awarded achievement medals for heroic action

Published Dec. 5, 2013
By Airman 1st Class Stephan Coleman
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Two Airmen from the 338th Training Squadron were presented the Air Force Achievement Medal Dec. 3, at the dragon recognition presentation, where student Airmen receive awards and promotions, for November.

Airman 1st Class Duke Marino and Airman David Gaylord were honored for life saving efforts performed Oct. 17, where they stopped to help an unresponsive woman at a gas station and stayed with her until emergency services arrived.

"These Airmen went above and beyond, doing something they weren't told to do, but that was right," said Col. George Tombe, 81st Training Group commander. "That's what we're trying to get through to students every single day: do what is right no matter what."

When the Airmen arrived at the scene, a woman was lying on the ground in a circle of bystanders, said Tech. Sgt. Kyle Mullen, 81st TRG military training office.

Gaylord pushed his way through the group of men surrounding the woman and to determine if emergency services had been notified. Finding that they had not, he called for medical care and administered first aid, said Mullen.

"After phoning the police, everyone wanted to get in and move the victim around and kept getting in the way," said Gaylord, a radio frequency transmissions student. "So, Moreno came in to sweep them out, allowing me to start first aid."

Marino cleared the area of the interfering bystanders so that Gaylord could administer the airway, breathing and circulation portions of self-aid and buddy care. He cleared the woman's airway and the Airmen remained with the woman until paramedics arrived.

The Airmen regarded their actions during the situation as necessary.

"It was a sketchy situation; just after dark and the woman was surrounded by men who weren't helping her," said Marino, a ground radar student. "We had to stop. There was no question."

The Airmen said they used the skills they had learned in basic training to help revive the woman and diffuse the situation.

"Their actions contributed directly to the woman's life being saved," said Mullen.

The Airmen were presented their awards during the first dragon recognition presentation, in which 81st TRW leadership highlighted the top military training flight, outstanding Airman of the month, and the newest student promotees for November.

The Training Group wishes to hold student recognition ceremonies such as this on larger scales to re-affirm the importance of accomplishment to young Airmen, said Mullen.

"It's a time honored tradition to recognize the successful progression of our Airmen as they transition from one rank to the next," said Chief Master Sgt. Robert Winters, 81st TRG superintendant. "The public recognition of these Airmen demonstrates the faith and trust that leadership has placed in their abilities."