Senate Resolution No. 2874

BY: Senator PALUMBO

COMMENDING seven brave Airmen from the New York
Air National Guard's 106th Rescue Wing upon the
occasion of their designation as recipients of the
Air Force Commendation Medal for their heroic action

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend the caring concern and heroic acts of individuals who take
prompt and appropriate action in emergency situations, nobly risking
their own lives to preserve the life of another; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend seven brave Airmen from the New York Air National Guard's 106th
Rescue Wing upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of the
Air Force Commendation Medal for their heroic action taken on April 24,
2017; and

WHEREAS, The seven Airmen consist of Combat Rescue Officers
Lieutenant Colonel Edward Boughal and Major Marty Viera, and
Pararescuemen Master Sargent Jordan St. Clair, Senior Master Sargent
Erik Blom, Master Sargent Jedediah Smith, Staff Sargent Michael Hartman,
and Master Sargent Bryan Dalere; and

WHEREAS, Their noble mission was to provide emergency care for two
sailors on the Slovenian bulk carrier Tamar who had been badly burned in
an explosion 1,700 miles off the coast of Long Island, New York; the men
had to acquire medical supplies from local hospitals and mitigate
maintenance issues of their aircraft mid-flight before flying out over
the ocean, dropping equipment packages and two inflatable Zodiac boats
on target to begin their rescue mission; and

WHEREAS, With every aspect of their mission presenting unique
challenges, the pararescue team had to climb into the Zodiacs, retrieve
the floating supplies, head to the ship, and board the Tamar on a rope
ladder while 15-foot waves tossed the boat up and down; and

WHEREAS, Along with the distance and the jump, once on board, the
106th Airmen had to conduct emergency surgery, provide medical care for
three days as the ship approached the Azores, then ensure the injured
victims were airlifted onto a Portuguese helicopter; and

WHEREAS, Colonel Jeffrey Cannet, the commander of the 106th
Operations Group, who piloted the HC-130 search and rescue aircraft on
the mission, praised those who jumped into the ocean that night; he
described the success of the Airmen involved in the mission as a
testament to their skill and ability; and

WHEREAS, Col. Cannet, Lt. Col. Boughal, and Master Sgt. St. Clair
credited Lt. Col. Stephen Rush, the 106th Medical Group Commander and
103rd Rescue Squadron Wing Flight Surgeon, for having such a huge impact
on the medical capabilities of the entire pararescue career field,
preparing the team to be elite medical professionals; and

WHEREAS, The professionalism and dedication of the men and women of
the 106th Rescue Wing and its commitment to the pararescue creed, "that
others may live," shall not go unnoticed by this Legislative Body, and
is a testament to the meaning of what it means to be a citizen of the
State of New York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the seven brave Airmen from the New York Air National Guard's
106th Rescue Wing upon the occasion of their designation as recipients
of the Air Force Commendation Medal for their heroic action; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the seven honored Airmen from the New York Air National
Guard's 106th Rescue Wing.