Two years of hard work pays off for Red Bulls at NTC

Photo By Sgt. Linsey Williams | Soldiers with the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, during National Training Center rotation 16-07 at Fort Irwin, California. (Minnesota National Guard photo by Sgt. Linsey Williams) 

FORT IRWIN, CA, UNITED STATES
07.01.2016
Story by Staff Sgt. Patrick Loch
1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Red Bull Infantry Division

With the majority of the Soldiers from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, having already returned home – and each Soldier set to have returned by July 3 – the brigade is closing the book on National Training Center rotation 16-07 and looking forward to its ready year in 2017.

“The training the brigade received and conducted was among the hardest and most realistic that the U.S. Army offers,” said Col. Robert Intress, commander of the 1/34th ABCT. “I am incredibly proud of our performance … we have been extremely successful and safe!”

In addition to the nearly two years of planning and training leading up to the rotation, the brigade’s mission at NTC consisted of four phases: logistics involving the movement of 1,500 pieces of equipment and 6,000 Soldiers to Fort Irwin, California; Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration; force-on-force field exercise; and regeneration.

Logistical execution began in early May, several weeks before the bulk of Soldiers from the 1/34th ABCT and supporting units were set to arrive. Soldiers with the 347th Regional Support Group first loaded and secured more than 300 wheeled vehicles, 350 tracked vehicles and 1,400 containers onto 500 railcars at the Camp Ripley railhead. A few days later, these items arrived at the Yermo Railhead Annex at Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, California. Once the equipment was downloaded, Soldiers began convoy operations down the Mannex Trail, a 30-mile trek through the Mojave Desert bridging the final leg of the journey to Fort Irwin.

"We've been preparing for this incredibly complex movement plan since we were notified of our rotation nearly two years ago," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 David Mellon, brigade mobility officer for the 1/34th ABCT. "We've invested countless hours, and enlisted the support of hundreds of Service members, to accomplish this feat."

The second phase began in early June, when nearly 6,000 Soldiers from 18 states arrived at the Rotational Unit Bivouac Area on Fort Irwin. Arriving in stages, 350 chartered bus movements and 90 flights brought Soldiers from muster formations across the nation.

The five-day RSOI period – a period of time that was “contested” by the opposition force and included a protest at the gate, mock media engagements and several other battle drills – was the time to prepare section equipment and vehicles for the 14-day field exercise in the “The Box.” Soldiers were consumed with the drawing of additional vehicles from the Fort Irwin motor pool, the installation of Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement Systems, unloading of shipping containers, packing individual and section equipment and conducting various live-fire training events.

All the while, the brigade was supported by the 347th RSG, which acted as the “White Cell.” Everything from scanning Soldier’s ID cards to hauling away trash, Soldiers of the 347th RSG maintained a high quality of life for Soldiers inhabiting this “mini city” that sprung up in a few short days. In addition to providing two hot meals per day during the RSOI phase, the 347th RSG received and escorted the many distinguished visitors that visited to witness the brigade’s training – representatives that included Gen. Robert Abrams, commanding general of U.S. Army Force Command, and Representative Tim Walz.

Finally, on Day 4 of RSOI, battalions began rolling out of RUBA and into the vast expanse of Mojave Desert known as “The Box” – a hostile training area the size of Rhode Island that includes mountainous terrain and 110 degree heat. By “uncoiling” company- and battalion-sized elements out of RUBA in a process that took nearly 36 hours, hundreds of vehicles from dozens of units were able to tactically convoy into “Atropia,” the mock country in which the training scenario was to take place.

In the scenario, Atropia, a U.S. ally, was on the verge of war with separatist factions wreaking havoc in the region and the “Donovian” hostile invaders amassing on the northern border – both groups were played by the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, a regiment dedicated to contesting brigades that enter “The Box.”

"The movement means the Brigade will be headed into an unfamiliar area where the opposition force has the distinct advantage of knowing the terrain very well and have had a chance to be acclimated to the heat," said Spc. Travis Pugh, a dismounted Infantryman for the 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 194th Armored Regiment. "We are entering their playground, so we have to be on our toes at all times and never get complacent."

Upon entering “The Box,” Soldiers were thrown into a combat scenario and 24-hour operations began. Each of the battalions were under constant threat of attack – artillery, mortars, chemical agents, IEDs and of course direct opposition by the role-playing separatist and Donovian forces. Brigade and battalion staffs were furiously writing up plans to clear mock cities, provide security and engage the enemy. And while maneuver battalions were executing the plans, civil affairs teams were sent out to coordinate with key leaders from the Atropian government and role-playing non-governmental organizations. Two brigade support battalions distributed fuel, water, food and occasionally fresh fruit to keep the fight going.

Every function found in an armored combat brigade – engineering, infantry, sustainment, armor, artillery, cavalry, legal, personnel – was utilized.

And finally, after two weeks practicing field hygiene, experiencing sleep deprivation, sleeping on the ground, in trailers, or wherever a soft spot could be found, the brigade began its movement back to RUBA.

“Although we experienced heat up to 116 degrees and 50 miles per hour winds while drinking 100 degree water, eating nothing but MREs and not showering for more than 14 days, the motivation, excitement and willingness to improve every day makes me humble and proud,” said Intress. “Before we arrived I said that NTC will test your character – and we all passed that test.”

In phase four, dubbed regeneration, Soldiers once again began the nearly unprecedented logistical operation of transporting personnel and equipment out of Fort Irwin and back to home station. Gear was repacked, and railcars reloaded. Upon receipt of items back home, maintenance teams will be working to ensure all equipment is once again at peak operation – necessary to match Soldier readiness and equipment capability as the 1/34th ABCT enters its “ready” year in 2017.

To utilize the elite training and readiness of the 1/34th ABCT in 2017, the U.S. Army has tagged the brigade for two major training exercises in Europe – Saber Strike 17 and Immediate Response 17.

“I want to give a special thank you to all the families, employers, educators, Yellow Ribbon Networks and Yellow Ribbon Companies that support our great Soldiers of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team,” said Intress. “Without your support, we could not do any of this! You all have my admiration and thanks.”

‘Cacti’ Soldier renders lifesaving aid

Photo By Staff Sgt. Armando Limon | A helicopter-based emergency medical service (EMS) lifts an injured 19-year-old female at Lanikai Pillbox Trail on Kaiwa Ridge, Kailua, Hawaii, on June 4, 2016. Sgt. Bruce Bea, a senior line medic assigned to 2-35th Inf. Regt., 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, provided lifesaving aid to the female. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Bruce Bae, 2-35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division)

KAILUA, HI, UNITED STATES
07.01.2016
Story by Staff Sgt. Armando Limon
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

KAILUA, Hawaii — Sgt. Bruce Bea walked to the top of Lanikai Pillbox Trail on Kaiwa Ridge to view the morning sunrise on the windward side of Oahu, June 4. Instead, he found himself rendering lifesaving aid to an unidentified 19-year-old female.

Bea, a senior line medic assigned to 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Inf. Division, took immediate charge of the situation and climbed down the rocky slope to provide emergency medical assistance.

He came upon the scene on his descent after trekking more than 500 feet on the unimproved, rocky trail to the pre-World War II fire control stations (mistakenly referred to as military pillboxes) that overlook the windward town of Kailua, to a see a female lying about five feet from slope.

“She was on the ground unconscious and convulsing a little bit,” he said. “I was holding head stabilization just in case she had a spinal injury.”

He recognized the woman had a severe injury and was in an awkward position, and did his best to keep her steady while emergency medical services were contacted.

“I was talking to her while still holding the cervical spine, making sure she could hear even though she’s unconscious,” he said. “I was asking, ‘Can you hear me? Can you squeeze my finger?’”

She regained consciousness, allowing Bea to continue asking questions if she could wiggle or feel her toes to check if she had a spinal injury.

Ten minutes after his arrival, a physician rendered his services, asking questions to the female and ordered those who were nearby to stand above her to provide shade to keep her from overheating.

Paramedics later arrived to the scene to provide care, relieving Bea and the physician.

A helicopter-based emergency medical service was called to hoist the female from the slopes to be brought down on the adjacent Lanikai Park where she was then delivered to a trauma center.

Bea attributed his ability to provide aid from his military training as a medic and the training given to combat life savers (CLS).

“The basic things we even teach to our CLS guys is there wasn’t any bleeding,” he said. “I didn’t see any bleeding to control. Also, I was concerned on keeping her breathing and to ensure she wasn’t moved to prevent spinal injury.”

Demonstrating the best of Army Values, Bea expressed unquestioning certainty to render emergency medical aid to anyone in need.

“I saw her on the ground,” he said. “I was like, I got to help. It’s an obligation to do so as a Soldier.”

Sgt. Bruce Bea, a senior line medic assigned to 2-35th Inf. Regt., 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, provided lifesaving aid to an unidentified 19-year-old female at Lanikai Pillbox Trail on Kaiwa Ridge, Kailua, Hawaii, on June 4, 2016. Bea climbed down five feet from the unimproved, rocky slope where the female had fallen to render medical assistance by keep her body stable and safe until emergency medical teams arrived. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Armando R Limon, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division)

First responders, WVARNG Soldiers together saved lives during historic W.Va. floods

Photo By Sgt. Sara Yoke | Capt. Will Hargis of the W.Va. Army National Guard’s CERF-P team and Kevin Clendenin, police chief for the town of Clendenin, WVa., discuss the details of WVARNG and other first responders’ efforts in savings lives the night of June 23. Sudden, severe flooding threatened the lives of people in the area of Clendenin. The WVARNG worked hand-in-hand with other civilian first responders to quickly react and save lives.

CLENDENIN, WV, UNITED STATES
06.29.2016
Courtesy Story
153rd Public Affairs Detachment

CLENDENIN, W.Va. -- When the flood waters began rising in West Virginia on the night of June 23, the call went out the Clendenin Fire Department’s swiftwater rescue unit - one of the best in state, according to Kevin Clendenin, who is not only fire chief but was also out on a rescue mission that evening.

The 12-member team, which also included members of the Glasgow Fire Department, was headed north to Richwood when they got word their hometown was under water. After turning around, they didn’t make it far before the State Police got a hold of them about another emergency situation - this time in Birch River, which was near their location.
“We couldn’t pass those folks up,” Clendenin said. “They were chest deep in water and had been there all day.”
The unit pulled over and performed nine rescues in Birch River that evening, knowing their own families were in the same situation an hour south.
When they pulled into the Clendenin area sometime around midnight, Capt. Will Hargis and soldiers from the CERF-P (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package) team were already there making headway.
The people living through the worst flood in the town’s memory now had a highly trained, joint effort team on their side.
“They had the swiftwater rescue teams, and we had the assets to get them in there,” said Hargis. “We were formulating a plan to get their swiftwater rescuers and first responders into this area. With the high water crossing vehicles we have and some of our recognizance assets we have, we were able to get the right people and the right equipment in here to save people’s lives.”
“No doubt they saved lives,” said Clendenin. “No doubt those rescue teams along with CERF-P saved lives in this town.”
Hargis agreed with Clendenin about how the abilities of CERF-P and the firefighters complemented each other.
“I can’t speak enough about having that specialized swiftwater rescue team here, available, right at the flash point … having that capability was critical in helping us save lives,” he said.
When Hargis and his troops arrived on the evening of June 23, they were far from going in blind. Hargis already had a Soldier on the ground. Sgt. Chris Legg, B Troop, 1-150th Cavlery/ DECON CERF-P, lives in the Clendenin area where he’s also a town volunteer fire fighter. Hargis said Legg was on the ground already helping folks, feeding him information about exactly what was going on and exactly what was needed, even while he was moving people on johnboats and getting them to higher ground.
It turned out the most critical mission was getting a land path into the town, Clendenin said. Working with CERF-P made that possible.
“The communication between Capt. Hargis and I was excellent from the first word,” said Clendenin. “I knew what he was here to do and he knew what I was here to do. It was a joint mission. He said, ‘Whatever you need Chief, we’ll do it.’”
Because the swiftwater rescue team had been out and was coming from the north, they were on one side of the river and their home base crew was on the other.
“Right at daylight I got with Capt. Hargis and said we need a road established in the back side of Clendenin,” Clendenin said. It was a critical mission because if they could get a land rout open they could start pushing in rescue teams. They put CERF-P troops with a firefighter and sent them to find way. A normal 30-minute drive took just under two hours. The team had to hike the last mile in, over washed-out roads and down trees, doing “whatever it took.” At just under the two-hour mark they called in and said they made contact with crew on the other side had a route and to start sending crews in.
Clendenin said some of the rescue teams on the far side had already been at work, but at that point were stranded with some civilians on the second floor of a home. Those rescue crews elected to stay with the civilians until the boats arrived, ensuring safety of every last one.
“To just hunker down and survive may not sound like much, but to me that’s heroic,” said Clendenin.
Surviving was tough in those first 36 hours in Clendenin. Six people did loose their lives, though not in any location where either the fire fighters or CERF-P were operating. It was a large area, the unexpected flooding happened fast and rescue operations were hampered by darkness. Clendenin said communications were awful, with cell and radio towers going down. His fire fighters train not to separate. They stay as a unit, but were separated that night. “So you just got to think these guys and gals are trained and they know what to do and hopefully they can self survive,” he said. They did survive the night and he said they make him proud.
When dawn broke Friday morning and the land route was established, the rescue teams started moving people out, many to Charleston. More than 60 people were rescued from critical situations by the evening of June 24, Hargis said.
“You can’t put it into words what is to know you had some impact to saving some folks lives,” he said. “Obviously these folks are devastated as far as their homes, their businesses, but at the end of the day if we’re saving people’s lives, that’s something we can take away from this.”
Hargis, a Calvary officer, serves an additional duty as officer-in-charge of the WVNG’s CERF-P located in Eleanor. They are extraction experts, trained for extreme situations including CBRN search and rescue, mass decontamination, medical treatment and triage and fatality search and recovery. Their training also includes natural disasters, leading the Guard’s Joint Command to bring the unit in for briefing and deployment Thursday afternoon, Hargis said.
“The West Virginia National Guard is always looking for highly motivated people that want to serve their state and local community,” he said. “This is a perfect example … “If you want to be part of your community, help your community, we’ve got the organization right here in West Virginia. You’re going to be able to serve your local community and state, and when the president calls, we have a federal mission. It’s always a great feeling and we’re always looking for great, motivated people.”

CBIRF and FDNY train side-by-side, share search and rescue tactics

Photo By Lance Cpl. Maverick Mejia | Marines and Sailors with Chemical Biological Incident Response Force trained alongside F.D.N.Y for a field training exercise at the F.D.N.Y training academy in Randall’s Island, N.Y. June 20, 2016. CBIRF is an active duty Marine Corps unit that, when directed, forward-deploys and/or responds with minimal warning to a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or high-yield explosive (CBRNE) threat or event in order to assist local, state, or federal agencies and the geographic combatant commanders in the conduct of CBRNE response or consequence management operations, providing capabilities for command and control; agent detection and identification; search, rescue, and decontamination; and emergency medical care for contaminated personnel. (Official USMC Photo by Lance Cpl. Maverick S. Mejia/RELEASED)

NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES
06.27.2016
Story by Lance Cpl. Maverick Mejia
Chemical Biological Incident Response Force (CBIRF)

NEW YORK – Chemical Biological Incident Response Force and the Fire Department of New York, FDNY, conducted three days of training at the FDNY Fire Academy located in Randall’s Island, New York, with a final simulation drill at Grand Central Station in New York City, N.Y. The training took place June 20-23.

The training is part of a long-standing CBIRF and FDNY relationship, established around 1998 when the unit sought to add search and rescue to the chemical/ biological response forces’ capabilities.
The training provided an opportunity for the men and women that protect one of the biggest and busiest cities in the world, to share their experience and tactics with CBIRF..

“I love this, this is great,” said Lt. Vincent Pickford, lieutenant for Squad 288 in Queens. “If we can maybe help (CBIRF) out a little bit to do the job that they have to do, it’s an honor.”

FDNY has certain similarities to CBIRF in that both are trained to respond to a catastrophe of any sort including hazardous incidents.
The similarities do not end there.

“(The fire department) is a lot like the Marine Corps. The guys are good, (there is) a lot of team work, a lot of camaraderie. It’s very similar,” said Capt. Robert Morris, retired captain of Rescue 1 in charge of Manhattan.

The fire fighters love to come and work alongside Marines and Sailors, said Morris expressing fire fighters’ willingness to train with CBIRF. When the time comes for CBIRF to train with us, there are many firefighters competing to get here – especially firefighters who served as Marines.

Training was divided into three areas specific to search and rescue capabilities. The first covered various techniques of rope usage. CBIRF Marines were offered scenarios in which ropes can be used for ascending and descending to and from difficult areas of reach to rescue victims.

The second area was vehicle extrication with hydraulic, battery powered and hand tools and proper techniques designed to rip through mangled car parts and get to a victim as quickly as possible.

The third area was breaching techniques with fire torches, saws and chainsaws, and hydraulic drills to get through any barriers, as well as the proper techniques to guarantee the safety of the rescuers as well as the victims.

CBIRF Navy Hospital Corpsmen received training with the paramedics of FDNY to learn different techniques on how to assess the patients and attend as well as decontamination and transportation to safety.
Working with FDNY enhances CBIRFs proficiency in skills learned during the three-week CBIRF Basic Operations Course, or CBOC. Every Sailor and Marine at CBIRF, regardless of their occupational specialty, is required to attend CBOC.

“I think this is a great experience for the Marines and Sailors to work side by side with guys who have an incredible amount of experience, in one of the biggest and greatest cities in the world, where they see things almost daily that probably a lot of places don’t see in a year,” said Capt. Benjamin Royal, commander for Initial Response Force Alpha.
Royal added although CBIRF and FDNY have different missions both care about doing good in the world.

The training concluded with a staged operation that took place at Grand Central Terminal Station, a center point for trains and subways to get to Manhattan, not only for the five boroughs but the inner part of New York as well.

The scenario included a simulated explosion in the two train tracks of Grand Central contaminating the area and leaving casualties that were exposed to the contaminants. The mission required the entire IRF to mobilize as quickly as possible, prepare a game plan within minutes, and start sending Marines and Sailors quickly into the contaminated “Hot Zone.”

CBIRF worked through many obstacles and problems presented throughout the operation, including extracting victims out of the hot zone followed by the proper medical care.

It was a unique experience but the Marines were able to develop and execute the plan and evacuation to follow on transportation.
“The problem that we were presented with was extremely challenging, one of the tougher problems that we would ever have to face,” said Royal. “Every Marine and Sailor was pleased and thankful to work side by side with FDNY and able to get hands-on experience.”
The Chemical Biological Incident Response Force, or CBIRF, is headquartered aboard Naval Support Facility Indian Head, Md. CBIRF is composed of two Initial Response Force Teams, or IRFs, each composed of roughly 130 Marines and Sailors that can be mobilized within a period of 24 hours when needed anywhere on the globe.

Each IRF is composed of Marines and Sailors from myriad different occupational fields split into search and rescue, explosive ordinance disposal, decontamination, extraction and medical teams that are trained to respond to, but not limited to, any kind of chemical or biological threat. This makes CBIRF unique not only to the Marine Corps but through the entire Department of Defense.

Randall’s Island, N.Y. – Marines with communications section of Chemical Biological Incident Response Force repel down the catwalk at the Fire Department of New York Fire Academy June 20, 2016. Marines and Sailors with Chemical Biological Incident Response Force trained alongside F.D.N.Y for a field training exercise at the F.D.N.Y training academy in Randall’s Island, N.Y. June 20, 2016. CBIRF is an active duty Marine Corps unit that, when directed, forward-deploys and/or responds with minimal warning to a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or high-yield explosive (CBRNE) threat or event in order to assist local, state, or federal agencies and the geographic combatant commanders in the conduct of CBRNE response or consequence management operations, providing capabilities for command and control; agent detection and identification; search, rescue, and decontamination; and emergency medical care for contaminated personnel. (Official USMC Photo by Lance Cpl. Maverick S. Mejia/RELEASED)

Marines and Sailors with Chemical Biological Incident Response Force trained alongside F.D.N.Y for a field training exercise at the F.D.N.Y training academy in Randall’s Island, N.Y. June 20, 2016. CBIRF is an active duty Marine Corps unit that, when directed, forward-deploys and/or responds with minimal warning to a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or high-yield explosive (CBRNE) threat or event in order to assist local, state, or federal agencies and the geographic combatant commanders in the conduct of CBRNE response or consequence management operations, providing capabilities for command and control; agent detection and identification; search, rescue, and decontamination; and emergency medical care for contaminated personnel. (Official USMC Photo by Lance Cpl. Maverick S. Mejia/RELEASED)

Randall’s Island, N.Y. – Staff Sgt. Preston A. RobinsonHoffman, a Marine Air Ground Task Force, MAGTF planning specialist, and Native of Shawnee, Kan., serves as a victim on one of the many specialized gurneys that are used to rescue trapped victims in hard to reach places during for a field training exercise at the F.D.N.Y training academy in Randall’s Island, N.Y. June 20, 2016.

Marines and Sailors with Chemical Biological Incident Response Force train alongside F.D.N.Y for a field training exercise at the F.D.N.Y training academy in Randall’s Island, N.Y. June 20, 2016. CBIRF is an active duty Marine Corps unit that, when directed, forward-deploys and/or responds with minimal warning to a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or high-yield explosive (CBRNE) threat or event in order to assist local, state, or federal agencies and the geographic combatant commanders in the conduct of CBRNE response or consequence management operations, providing capabilities for command and control; agent detection and identification; search, rescue, and decontamination; and emergency medical care for contaminated personnel. (Official USMC Photo by Lance Cpl. Maverick S. Mejia/RELEASED)

Randall’s Island, N.Y. – A Marine with Search and Extraction Platoon, Chemical Biological Incident Response Force, breaks a car window as part of training exercise at Fire Department of New York Fire Academy June 21, 2016. Marines and Sailors with Chemical Biological Incident Response Force train alongside F.D.N.Y for a field training exercise at the F.D.N.Y training academy in Randall’s Island, N.Y. June 20, 2016. CBIRF is an active duty Marine Corps unit that, when directed, forward-deploys and/or responds with minimal warning to a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or high-yield explosive (CBRNE) threat or event in order to assist local, state, or federal agencies and the geographic combatant commanders in the conduct of CBRNE response or consequence management operations, providing capabilities for command and control; agent detection and identification; search, rescue, and decontamination; and emergency medical care for contaminated personnel. (Official USMC Photo by Lance Cpl. Maverick S. Mejia/RELEASED)

Randall’s Island – Marines with Chemical Biological Incident Response Force rescue a victim from a severely damaged vehicle at Fire Department of New York Fire Academy, June 21, 2016.

Marines and Sailors with Chemical Biological Incident Response Force trained alongside F.D.N.Y for a field training exercise at the F.D.N.Y training academy in Randall’s Island, N.Y. June 20, 2016. CBIRF is an active duty Marine Corps unit that, when directed, forward-deploys and/or responds with minimal warning to a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or high-yield explosive (CBRNE) threat or event in order to assist local, state, or federal agencies and the geographic combatant commanders in the conduct of CBRNE response or consequence management operations, providing capabilities for command and control; agent detection and identification; search, rescue, and decontamination; and emergency medical care for contaminated personnel. (Official USMC Photo by Lance Cpl. Maverick S. Mejia/RELEASED)

Osan honors airman who died after helping rescue family from fire

The 731st Air Mobility Squadron at Osan Air Base has honored an airman who died from injuries sustained while helping save a family from a burning building.

Staff Sgt. Cierra Rogers died May 20 shortly after arriving at her follow-on duty station in Florida. She was 26 years old. Rogers, who was credited with being the first airman to arrive at the scene, was hospitalized in the days following the April 29 fire in South Korea’s Songtan district and required surgery.

“Let us remember her huge smile and her willingness to help others. While she was here, Cierra enjoyed life, and she truly lived life to the fullest,” Lt. Col. Breanna Fulton, the 731st AMS commander, told the memorial service.

Members of the Enyioko family, who Rogers and other airmen helped rescue, attended the ceremony along with representatives from the Embassy of Nigeria, South Korean government and Lt. Gen. Lee Wang-Keon, commander of South Korean air force operations command.

“Staff Sgt. Rogers’ honorable actions to help those in danger were a true example of what it means to serve,” Lee said. “We highly respect her courageous actions and will forever remember her noble sacrifice.”

https://youtu.be/_RzWnfjfJzY

https://youtu.be/6CvK_PHypFI

The dramatic events were captured on cell phone footage, showing a group of airmen and local residents using a blanket to catch a woman and her three children as they leapt from a window in the apartment building. Rogers initiated the rescue when she entered the smoke-filled apartment to kick out the window and usher the family toward safety.

“This beauty was in the hospital when everyone was being interviewed,” friend Kris Murray wrote in a tribute post on Facebook. “[Cierra] remained calm and told the mom how to breathe in the smoke, then convinced the mom to throw her three babies out the window to safety where firefighters and a few airman and soldiers waited to catch them. Cierra got very hurt in the process while sliding down some wires and kicking a window in.”

Rogers was a native of Dallas. She enlisted in the Air Force in 2010 and spent five years at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland before serving a year at Osan.

“Cierra traveled halfway around the world to help defend and protect the people of Korea,” said Lt. Gen. Terrence O’Shaughnessy, the Seventh Air Force commander. “While she was here, like so many U.S. airmen, she became integrated into a local community which has welcomed so many of us for more than 60 years. As a member of that community, when she had an opportunity to help people in mortal danger, she didn’t hesitate to act. She set a tremendous example of service before self, one that all Airmen can aspire to.”

By Kat Bouza
Stars and Stripes
Published: June 28, 2016