Keesler NCO earns Purple Heart in Iraq

Published Jan. 28, 2008
By Tech. Sgt. D. Clare
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq -- Tech. Sgt. Richard Petty has driven more than 2,000 miles as a M240 machine gunner, protecting convoys on missions to and from Regional Support Unit Al Kasik, but the mission that resulted in his Purple Heart is humbling.

"I was taking out the trash," admits the sergeant, a member of the 732nd Air Expeditionary Group, who serves as a J6 communications non-commissioned officer in an "in-lieu-of" tasking supporting the Army and Navy.

A mortar landed in range of Sergeant Petty, ripping a hole in his left calf muscle.

"Initially, it felt like a charlie horse in my calf," said the Strongsville, Ohio native. "At first, I didn't even realize it. I was disoriented. I didn't know what happened. I turned around and everyone was gone. I came back into the complex and that's when I realized there was a hole in my pants. There was this big chunk tore out of my leg."

Sergeant Petty, said his fellow Airmen immediately began first aid and called for medical assistance from the unit's Corpsman, Petty Officer 1st Class Brian Schmock.

"When my brain connected that there was something there, it really started hurting," Sergeant Petty said.

Despite the pain he encountered, Sergeant Petty remained on duty and continues to recover from the wound.

Airmen deployed to Al Kasik serve in non-traditional billets to support efforts to train Iraqi army recruits. Even by wartime standards, their outpost is austere.

"We're in the middle of nowhere. We don't have the typical amenities. We don't have a chow hall so we cook for ourselves. There's no exchange or anything like that. But being here makes us tighter as a team. As a whole, this is what we know -- and this is what we're rolling with," said Sergeant Petty.

Deployed from Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., in the states Sergeant Petty is an advanced communications instructor. Before his 12-month tour began, he and his fellow Airman and Soldiers attended combat skills training at Fort Riley, Texas.

A self-described "adrenaline junkie," the sergeant volunteered to provide security for convoys.

"It's one of those jobs where you feel like you're making a difference. I have a crew and I'm responsible for their safety," he said. "It feels good when you go out and everyone makes it back."

Purple Heart recipient carries on mission in Iraq