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NEWS | Aug. 25, 2020

The guardian

By Senior Airman Kelsea Caballero 633d Air Base Wing Public Affairs

An instructor with the 128th Aviation Brigade, 210th Aviation Regiment was awarded the U.S. Army Safety Guardian Award, a Department of the Army level achievement which recognizes Soldiers who react against imminently dangerous events to prevent or minimize injury or loss.

During the advanced individual training field training exercise, the heat index climbed, forcing U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Tyler C. Callahan and his Soldiers to proceed with caution. Under Callahan’s leadership, additional health screenings of the AIT trainees were administered as they completed the obstacle course on Fort Eustis, Virginia.

“At the completion of the obstacle course, a Soldier walked past me drenched in sweat, continuously looking at the ground as he was walking,” Callahan said. “At this time, I engaged him and asked how he was feeling; then, he told me he had a consistent headache and felt very nauseous. If I didn't just take a moment to ask, his symptoms would have progressed and potentially become life-threatening.”

Callahan immediately took action to treat the Soldier by laying him on the ground and administering heat injury prevention measures. During this time, he and his team were able to notify medical personnel, prepare ice packs and immersion coolers, and report the Soldier’s condition to leadership.

“I was not at all surprised.” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Boyce Buckner, Commander of Headquarters, 1st Battalion, 210th Aviation Regiment. “Callahan is what every leader should be: engaged, focused and decisive during an operation so he can protect his force and the mission.”

Callahan took time to praise his unit for preparing Soldiers for situations such as these.

“I am honored to receive the U.S. Army Safety Guardian Award,” said Callahan. “It is a direct reflection of our Battalion’s hard work and preventive training to ensure that we consistently deliver the highest level of training while ensuring our AIT trainees remain safe.”

Thanks to Callahan’s dedication to serve, Buckner donned him the “ultimate example” for AIT Soldiers to take care of their brothers and sisters in arms.