Page 7 - Desert Lightning News, Nellis-Creech AFB Edition, June 11, 2021

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Team 432 Airman saves fellow Ironman C-130 pilot students conduct Joint

by Senior Airman William Rio Rosado sions, a rush of adrenaline came over Forcible Entry Training in class 21A WSINT
Creech AFB, Nev. me and the next few moments seemed
to blend together,” Levi said.
During his first Ironman triathlon, They continued compressions and
Senior Airman Levi began a cycling jour- switched out with each other until the by Tech. Sgt. Alexandre Montes could be executed in a safe manner,” said
ney that led him to a fellow competitor paramedics arrived. Upon arrival, Levi Nellis AFB, Nev. Riley.
fighting for their life. kept his pace as they prepared to use The 26 C-130s conducted an evasive
Twenty miles into the bike portion, the automated external defibrillator. To Pilots and aircrew recently flew 26 formation that joined defensive-air air-
he approached a crowd of people sur- everyone’s surprise, when the man came C-130 variant models from Dyess Air craft over the Nevada Test and Training
rounding an athlete who collapsed due to, he immediately expressed his want to Force Base, Texas, to Nellis AFB, Nev., for Range, testing executing their ultimate
to a heart attack. A wave of panic grew continue the race. a Joint Forcible Entry sortie to culminate objective of Joint All-Domain Command
but at the center of it all, a woman had The competitor was taken to a nearby their extensive training at the U.S. Air and Control, developing future pilots
already begun cardiopulmonary re- hospital and Levi continued on with his Force Weapons School. and leaders.
suscitation. Some bystanders recorded journey to the finish line. As he pedaled Joint Forcible Entry Operations was Training like this at the USAFWS
while others made calls to 911. Without for 30 more miles and ran the remaining the primary objective for the C-130 allows students from all branches of
a second thought, Levi got off of his bike 13 in the run portion, Levi said he could pilots to execute learned training on the U.S. military and allied partners to
and offered his help. not stop thinking of the competitor and how to seize, neutralize and provide air- plan and conduct complex combat aerial
Levi, a 432nd Aircraft Maintenance if he was making a full recovery. to-ground manpower. This particular operations, paving the way for future
Squadron crew chief, administered CPR “I didn’t even stay after I finished the training not only includes Air Combat leaders to ensure flexible logistics and
to a competitor and assisted in actions race,” Levi said. “I told my dad we had to Command instructors from the 29th drive innovation, helping to strengthen
which saved their life on May 1, 2021 go to the hospital because I had to find Weapons Squadron, but aided Air Mobil- our alliances.
at the Ironman 70.3 North American out if this guy was okay.” ity Command pilots and their aircrews
Championship St. George, in Utah. Levi made it to the hospital, but they with a unique experience alike.
“It was second nature to jump into would not release the status of the com- “This was my first JFE. The planning
action,” Levi said. “There were two other petitor. In hopes of reaching him, Levi was intense; a lot of long hours and lot Air Force photograph by Tech. Sgt. Alexandre Montes
gentleman there but they were frozen in left his cell phone number and waited Air Force photograph by Staff Sgt. Omari Bernard of hard work by everyone involved,” said Dozens of C-130 pilots from the Air Mobility
the moment.” for a call. Senior Airman Levi, 432nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, is presented with Capt. Shawn Riley, 29th WPS C-130J Command are briefed on the daily mission
Levi assured the woman he had just Eventually, he got a call from the man’s the Air Force Commendation Medal at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., May 27, 2021. Levi acted pilot. during their class 21A Weapons Instructor
been CPR certified when she asked if he wife and she thanked him for helping on instinct and did not hesitate to help the fallen competitor with complete disregard Understanding, planning and ex- Course culmination exercise at Dyess
knew what he was doing. save her husband’s life. She and her hus- for his race status. ecuting airborne insertion of Air Force Air Force Base, Texas, June 5, 2021. After
“As I began my first set of compres- band expressed their gratitude for Levi’s assets is integral to how the current and several months of training, pilots were
future contingency of combat operations given the chance to coordinate and
actions and explained he is on the road will evolve. The students spent over five execute combat operations with over 25
to recovery. months learning how to be the best of airframes to include F-16 Fighting Falcons,
“That was just the (Levi) thing to do,” the best to rightfully earn their patches. F-15 Strike Eagles, C-17’s Globemasters and
Staff Sgt. Alex, 432nd AMXS crew chief “The plan came together with the aerial support airframes.
and co-worker said. “He’s the type of guy many hours spent, making sure the plan
to drop everything he’s doing to go help LEFT: U.S. Air Force C-130J crew chiefs and
somebody out.” load masters perform pre-flight checks
Levi’s leadership recognized his heroic prior to their take-off for a class 21A
actions and presented him with an Air Weapons Instructor Course culmination
Force Commendation Medal. exercise at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas,
“Senior Airman Levi plays a crucial June 5, 2021. Air Force crew chiefs are
role in our aircraft maintenance units,” integral to the flying mission, ensuring
said Chief Master Sgt. Mark, 432nd Air- safety and optimal performance for pilots
craft Maintenance Unit superintendent. and aircrews’ missions.
“Levi is always quick to show initiative Air Force photograph by Tech. Sgt. Alexandre Montes
and his attention to detail shows in all of
his work. He truly demonstrates genuine
care for not only his co-workers but also
for everyone he interacts with.”
His wingmen also expressed their
gratitude for him in the workplace.
“He’s a team first kind of guy that
looks out for other people,” Alex said.
“He wants us to succeed as a team and
I think that’s huge. It’s a mentality a lot
more people need to have.”
Levi shared he’s wanted to be in spe-
cial warfare since he was young and is
currently in the process of re-training
with the hope of going in as an air combat
controller.
“I enlisted because it was still burning
in my soul,” Levi said.
A journey that led him to saving a life Air Force photograph by Tech. Sgt. Alexandre Montes Air Force photograph by Tech. Sgt. Alexandre Montes
is only a chapter in Levi’s story. His Air
Air Force photograph by Senior Airman William Rio Rosado Several C-130s fly in formation during a training exercise for class 21A Weapons Instructor A C-130J takes off to begin a training exercise for class 21A Weapons Instructor Course
Senior Airman Levi, 432nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, checks out the multi-spectral targeting system on an MQ-9 Force journey continues as he plans to Course at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, June 5, 2021. Both C-130H and C-130J models were at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, June 5, 2021. Over 25 C-130 variants participated in an
Reaper at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., June 9, 2021. Levi’s leadership recognized his heroic actions and presented him with an Air Force compete in more races and prepare for a launched and conducted combat aerial support after months of training and plaining evasive and strategic combat aerial operation exercise piloted by 29th Weapons Squadron
Commendation Medal. future in combat control. from the pilot students. students.