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<\/a>(Personal Note: Just saw this 3\/29\/2004 story… I had the pleasure to serve with SMSgt Parsons back in the late 90’s. I was a SSgt and he was a TSgt at that time… I wish him well during his recovery)<\/p>\n
BAGHDAD, Iraq \u2014 During an Iraqi insurgent attack on an American convoy north of here in March, time seemed to stand still, said Tech. Sgt. George Stewart.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt seemed like forever,\u201d the 447th Air Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Airman said. Squadron members credited Sergeant Stewart, their independent-duty medical technician, with stabilizing and preparing three wounded service members for an aeromedical evacuation during the attack.<\/p>\n
One Soldier was killed and three service members were wounded, while three Iraqi insurgents were killed and another wounded in the attack that started quickly.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe vehicles in front of us stopped. Then we heard weapons fire,\u201d said Senior Master Sgt. Richard Parsons, the Air Force convoy commander.<\/p>\n
Several service members were lying wounded in front of the Air Force portion of the convoy as attention turned to muzzle flashes along a roadside tree line. That\u2019s when Airman 1st Class Shina Watkins opened fire, said 1st Lt. Leo Baustian, the convoy\u2019s intelligence officer.<\/p>\n
Airman Watkins, a squadron fire team member, was manning one of the turret guns. She provided cover fire as the remainder of the security forces darted into position, he said. Toward the head of the convoy, Airman 1st Class Raul Mexicano also returned fire from a turret.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Baustian and Staff Sgt. Kurt McNeely, a civil engineer readiness noncommissioned officer assigned to the squadron, fired on the muzzle flashes as the rest of the Airmen maneuvered into place.<\/p>\n
During the firefight, Sergeant Parsons directed Sergeant Stewart toward the wounded members. The medic wasted no time as he tended the wounded.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe just jumped out of the vehicle and got busy,\u201d said Tech. Sgt. Ed James, assistant convoy commander.<\/p>\n
Sergeant Parsons and the other wounded were taken by helicopter to a nearby Army medical treatment facility while Sergeant James rallied the Air Force portion of the convoy and safely left the area.
\u201cIt\u2019s kind of funny, but after it was all over with, I sat there in the helicopter and simply felt like I did my day\u2019s work,\u201d Sergeant Parsons said.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Master Sgt. Sean E. Cobb
447th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
(Personal Note: Just saw this 3\/29\/2004 story… I had the pleasure to serve with SMSgt Parsons back in the late 90’s. I was a SSgt and he was a TSgt at that time… I wish him well during his recovery) BAGHDAD, Iraq \u2014 During an Iraqi insurgent attack on an American convoy north of here … <\/p>\n