Airmen awarded medal for risking their lives

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Lynsie Nichols
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  Airman 1st Class Joseph Recalde and Senior Airman Roy Tort from the 374th Security Forces Squadron were both recently awarded the Air Force Combat Action Medal.

The two Airmen received the medal for their bravery during a fire-fight at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.

"At first, words couldn't describe it," said Airman Recalde when describing how he feels about the fire-fight. "I feel proud for what I did, because I know not everybody has the right to say 'I defended my country and almost sacrificed my life.'"

Both Airmen were on shift at 3 a.m. when they got the call that they were under attack.

"It was terrifying, to be honest with you," said Airman Tort when describing his initial reaction.

The Airmen reported to their control center in full battle gear and were told by their Officer in charge to report to Tower 14 by any means necessary because it was under attack.

"We ran out to our change-over spot to see if there were any vehicles, but they were all gone," said Airman Recalde. "We took it upon ourselves to run out to action."

The Airmen ran one and a half miles in full gear but were unfazed because their adrenaline was kicking in. The Airmen pressed forward.

On route to Tower 14, Airman Recalde noticed a grenade.

"I looked down and was like, 'shoot, grenade,'" said Airman Recalde. "I turned around, got my wingman and I ran back."

Airman Recalde heard the explosion and said his first reaction was to jump and take cover.

"We took cover behind a barrier," said Airman Recalde. "Another mini fire-fight took place and we took cover, gave fire, received fire and engaged an insurgent."

Airman Tort said that while the bullets were hitting the barrier, he had an epiphany that this was now "fight or flight" and began to engage in the enemy.

This was the first time that either Airman Recalde or Airman Tort has been involved in any kind of combat, but their actions came as second nature.

"We're trained to do it," said Airman Recalde. "We didn't have to think about what to do or how to do it."

Airman Recalde did what he had to do to save himself and others by taking the life of a dangerous insurgent.

"When I shot the insurgent...the only thing I felt was to make sure that no insurgents come on base and harm anybody," said Airman Recalde.

Airman Recalde had mixed emotions throughout the attack and after.

"I was scared, nervous and at times felt numb," said Airman Recalde. "After the attack occurred, I was in a state of shock because I wasn't expecting to have insurgents try to breech our perimeter."

Before the attack that night, it had been 40 years since someone had tried to breech an Air Base.

"I was happy that we handled the situation so well," said Airman Recalde. "I felt proud because I knew that I was part of history."

Airman Tort said with the help of his wingmen in the squadron he has adjusted back into his routine.

"The squadron helped me out a lot, easing me into the flight and everything," said Airman Tort. "Ever since that day, I'm happy to be alive, to have walked away without any harm."

Airman Recalde knows how lucky he is to be alive.

"I feel blessed," said Airman Recalde. "I thank God everyday that I see a new day because I could be six feet under right now."