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McGuire Airmen honored for strength, courage, heroism

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rebekah Phy
  • 305th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
McGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. --  Words can't describe what happened that tragic day. Words can't describe how they felt or what was running through their minds. They hit an improvised explosive device on a routine convoy. An Airman, who was a part of their family, was lost. Through the chaos, the highly-trained team pulled together and made it through. For their strength, courage and heroism, they were honored. 

Six Airmen from the 305th Security Forces Squadron here were presented with the Air Force Combat Action Medal May 1 for their heroic actions while deployed. 

The medal was created in recognition of Airmen taking on increasingly dangerous roles in Iraq and Afghanistan, where they perform missions, including ground combat, alongside Soldiers and Marines. McGuire is just one of many bases training and deploying those Airmen to fight the Global War on Terrorism. 

Before the medals were presented, the award citation was read. The AFCAM was presented to Staff Sgt. Jessica Mohney, Staff Sgt. Damien Needom, Senior Airman Lauren Sorrells, Senior Airman Joselo Machuca, Airman 1st Class Jonathan McMillan, and Airman 1st Class Jaurique Brown for engaging in direct combat June 23, 2007, while serving with Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

Col. Balan Ayyar, 305th Air Mobility Wing commander, presented the medals and explained how proud he was of the team's courage and commitment while deployed. He said all Airmen need to be well-trained and ready to deploy anytime, anywhere. 

"You have made us very proud," he said. "That sense of courage, sacrifice and commitment is what binds us together as an Air Force. 

"All of us need to be ready to take care of our fellow Airmen (as this team did)," Colonel Ayyar said ... "I want you to share your story with your fellow Airmen - we will all draw inspiration from it." 

Sergeant Needom, the convoy leader at the time, recalled the events from that day. The 16-member team had been running convoys for one month, and it was generally quiet in the area. The team had just completed a mission, and they were returning to base when they were hit. 

"Once the IED hit, it hit right outside my door, it was a shell-shock type of feeling. All I was thinking was 'I can't falter being in charge ... is anyone hurt?' We had one individual down. We had to go assess the casualty and use the skills we learned in training," Sergeant Needom said. 

"(Airman 1st Class Jason) Nathan was hurt bad. We did our thing - got support units and transferred him to a safe place," Sergeant Needom said. "Airman Nathan was a really good friend. Even as an E-3, he taught people, from airman basics up to lieutenant colonels, very valuable lessons." 

Though a very tragic and difficult situation, Sergeant Needom said the training they received, as well as their teamwork, helped them persevere. 

"I feel like our training prepared us as much as it could for something like that," Sergeant Needom said. "Our deployment, in general, brought camaraderie to people I didn't even know - I looked at all those guys as family." 

Airman Sorrells remembers that day very vividly. "It was a terrifying experience - when he (Airman Nathan) died, it was the first time we were hit with an IED," she said. "We had only been deployed about a month when it happened, but we pulled together, made it through and it brought us even closer." 

Airman Sorrells' parents, who attended the ceremony, were especially grateful for Sergeant Needom watching over their daughter during their deployment. 

"Of course we were worried when we found out she was deploying, but we were proud she was serving her country," Anthony and Louise Sorrells' said. "Their team stuck together, and Sergeant Needom watched over her. We're so glad they're back home."
 
Sergeant Needom's mother, Paulette, also attended the ceremony. She was equally proud of her son and the entire team. "I prayed for his entire unit - Damien felt it was his responsibility to look out for those under him. I really felt encouraged they would come home," Ms. Needom-Coney said. 

"Those young folks did a magnificent job - I'm so proud. They stepped up to the plate and did what they had to do. Even though (Airman) Nathan didn't come home - he's still in their hearts. Damien wears a wristband in memory." 

For Sergeant Needom, the AFCAM represents many things. 

"I think it's tremendous the Air Force came up with the combat action medal; it shows there are more than just aviators in combat," Sergeant Needom said. "This award shows something I've been through, learned from and persevered through." 

For those who will deploy in the future, Sergeant Needom encourages every Airman to value training opportunities. "Truly value your training - take everything you can from it, even it you think it's irrelevant. That training will save your life."