Page 4 - Desert Lightning News So. AZ Edition, September 2020

4 September 2020 Desert Lightning News Desert Lightning News September 2020 5
www.aerotechnews.com/davis-monthanafb www.aerotechnews.com/davis-monthanafb
Facebook.com/DesertLightningNews (from Page 1) a problem pops up, they are able to Facebook.com/DesertLightningNews
Chaplain’s thoughts ... rEscuE reach out to one of their peers that ECG Airman receives Purple Heart
technical training they need to be
successful downrange, they are may have seen this problem before
and get aid that way.”
I can’t carry it for you … but I can carry you also networking and meeting their During these uncertain times,
peers across each airframe.
“It’s great for them to work here the importance of high-end readi-
ness has only grown more im-
by Chaplain can’t take the burden from his friend, but he can and meet these folks from the other portant. Personnel recovery has Story and photo by Airman 1st Class
(Capt.) be there for him and help him when he can’t go on. squadrons and units while building always be an essential mission KAITLYN ERGISH
PHILIP STEWART So, we learn two things from this story, in a time friendships,” Chase said. “This way during and will continue to be after 355th Wing Public Affairs
when things can be hard in a way they’ve never when you’re downrange you’re not the COVID-19 pandemic. The Air
355th Wing Chaplain walking into an unfamiliar hangar Editor’s note: This story originally ran in the August
been before. The first thing we learn from Sam: as Force’s aircraft maintainers strive
DAVIS-MONTHAN much as he wants to solve his buddy’s problem, and asking for parts or for help, to ensure the safety of all Air Force 2020 edition of Desert Lightning News with imprecise
AIR FORCE BASE, he can’t make it go away or come up with a magic you’re going to an old buddy and assets in order to complete those wording. It is being republished with appropriate changes.
Ariz. — Have you seen solution. What he can do is to be authentically asking. This also helps them when critical mission sets. U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Cody Cooper, 755th Op-
the Lord of the Rings present, to carry his friend through the struggle, erations Support Squadron Aircrew Flight Equipment
movie, or read the book? and to let him know he’s not alone. We can pick journeyman, received the Purple Heart Medal at Davis-
There’s a lot of things each other up and carry each other through the Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, July 9, 2020.
that stand out in that hard times, we can be present, and even if we Cooper was deployed with the 41st Expeditionary ECS
Chaplain (Capt.) story, but one in particu- can’t solve the problem, we can deal with things in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and the Reso-
Philip Stewart lar seems to have a lot in community. lute Support mission at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan.
of bearing on our lives The other thing we learn is from Frodo: that During this period, he was injured due to a vehicle-borne
in a pandemic and a struggle that just contin- it is OK to not be able to do it alone. Frodo must improvised explosive device attack while ensuring preci-
ues on and on. It’s a part of the story about true be carried, because he can’t do it by himself. We, sion electronic attack support was provided to coalition
companionship, and what we do when the going too, are not wired to get through life alone, but forces throughout Afghanistan.
gets tough. to be in community, to rely on each other, and to “Cody did his duties with excellence,” said Col. Philip
Near the end of the story, two characters, Sam speak up when we need a hand. They get through Acquaro, 55th Electronic Combat Group commander.
and Frodo, have almost made it to their goal. it together both because no one hesitates to help, “During the deployment he identified 15 equipment er-
Frodo is carrying the One Ring to a volcano, but also because no one hesitates to ask for help rors and expedited 12 repairs, which restored critical
Mount Doom, in order to destroy it and defeat when they need it. life-saving flight gear.”
evil. But the burden is too much, he’s tired, he’s We should be mindful of both – look for oppor- Staff Sgt. Sergio Gamboa The Purple Heart is the oldest military award presented
hungry, and the struggle he’s had overcomes him. tunities to help our friends, our families, and our Airmen assigned to the 66th Rescue Squadron execute a rescue to U.S. service members. It is not an award for which
He can’t go on. wingmen carry their burdens, and to be honest training mission during Red Flag-Rescue at Playas, New Mexico, service members are recommended, rather it is an award
Sam, though, his loyal friend who has traveled with those friends, families, and wingmen when Aug. 13, 2020. The Airmen had to rescue a simulated survivor from that is issued based on those wounded or killed in combat.
with him far from home, knows how to help his we need to be carried. None of us is in this fight an austere and contested environment while facing simulated op- “He is an outstanding Airman and he absolutely rose to
wingman. He says, “I can’t carry it for you, but I alone – so let’s act like it and have those honest posing forces. Red Flag-Rescue is the world’s premier combat U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Cody Cooper, 755th Operations Support Squadron Aircrew Flight Equipment journey- the occasion in those trying times,” said Lt. Col. William
can carry you…”, and that’s just what he does. Sam conversations. search and rescue exercise that prepares Airmen and partners for man, receives the Purple Heart Medal at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, July 9, 2020. Cooper’s actions Gery, 41st EECS commander. “It was an honor serving
the high-end fight in highly contested and degraded environments. ensured precision electronic attack support was provided to coalition forces throughout Afghanistan. with you.”

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