Two 41st RQS Airmen earn prestigious award for combat actions

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brigitte Brantley
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Two Airmen from the 41st Rescue Squadron recently earned a prestigious award that recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of enlisted aircrew members.

Staff Sgt. Justin Martin, 41st RQS flight engineer, and Senior Airman Adrian Jarrin, 41st RQS aerial gunner, were awarded the Staff Sgt. Henry E. "Red" Erwin Outstanding Enlisted Aircrew Member of the Year award at the 23rd Wing level.

"These Airmen winning this award is fabulous and their quality is continually shown in how well they perform while flying," said Master Sgt. John Buckler, 41st RQS standard evaluations NCO in-charge. "They are two individuals I can always rely on to get the job done immediately. This award is a big deal and reflects the commitment they have to their jobs."

The award was created in honor of one individual who was truly committed to his job- Sergeant "Red" Erwin, a radio operator who served during World War II.

During a raid of Japan on which the crew dropped phosphorus smoke bombs, one of them malfunctioned, causing the cabin to fill with smoke.

Sergeant Erwin endured extreme burns to his face and body while he crawled to the door to drop the bomb out of the plane.

Sergeant Martin and Airman Jarrin haven't been injured in any of their missions, but their continued effort over the time period they were deployed during 2009 earned them the award.

"Our schedules typically consisted of flying four to five missions per 12-hour period," said Sergeant Martin, who is credited with more than 100 pick-ups during his most recent deployment. "A mission was usually making a beeline for the point of injury to get our guys back to safety. It usually meant we encountered enemy fire and other hazardous situations along the way."

The range of injuries that was encountered during missions varied daily, but the final goal was to always 'get in and get out.'

"More than half of the injuries we encountered were serious and consisted of missing limbs or gunshot wounds to the chest," said Airman Jarrin, who is credited with 230 pick-ups during his most recent deployment. "We worked with both various U.S. and NATO forces, mostly Marines and the British. Our goal was always to get in, recover the patient and get them to a medical facility immediately."

Although these Airmens' names are on the award, they see it as a compiled effort of all aircrew members who were deployed with them in Afghanistan.

"A major part of being successful during each mission was the 'crew concept,'" said Sergeant Martin. "As a crew, we became very close and were able to communicate very effectively. Without this closeness, we may not have been able to operate so well as a team, which is critical in all aspects.

"This is especially important when you are flying close to the ground, trying to evacuate the casualties while facing enemy fire," he added. "In addition to the crew, we can't thank the maintenance crew enough for their support- without them we simply would not have been able to get the mission done."

They also credit their success to the training they received while at their homestation.

"The thorough training we undergo before deploying is critical because we train like we fight," said Airman Jarrin. "It prepares us for the unexpected and keeps us sharp so we can answer any call we get. During our training, we simulate combat scenarios such as downed pilots or aircrew members as well as casualty evacuations."

Although his job placed him in dangerous combat scenarios daily, Airman Jarrin found his experiences while deployed rewarding.

"Each mission was different but the fact we were there to save lives never changed," he said. "As a whole, we stand behind the phrase, 'These things we do that others may live.' The best part of my day was being able to go to the hospital and see the troops we helped rescue."

Sergeant Martin and Airman Jarrin will next represent the 23rd WG while competing for the "Red" Erwin Award at the Air Combat Command level.