Warrior, medic, mechanic

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ashley Coomes
  • 319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
The long convoy traveled under the cover of night transporting workers to another site. Suddenly, there was an explosion that shook the ground all the way to the last truck. The convoy commander shouted over the radio, “The lead car has been hit! Send combat lifesavers up here now!” 

Staff Sgt. Joseph Comfort, 319th Logistics Readiness Squadron, raced to the front to respond, finding the lead vehicle’s gunner lying in the back seat with shrapnel through his wrist. 

Without hesitation, he dressed the wound and administered an IV. His efforts stabilized the wounded Soldier until he could be airlifted to a nearby military hospital. 

“Through all of this, I didn’t worry about anything else. I stayed focused on the job at hand. I just wanted to get my fellow troop the treatment he needed as quickly as possible,” Said Sergeant Comfort. 

Even after helping the wounded Soldier, Sergeant Comfort’s job wasn’t over - he hastily changed two tires on the Humvee to get the convoy out of the line of fire and back into safe territory. 

When asked about his actions, he simply shrugged and said, “Training prepared me to act instinctively.” 

Sergeant Comfort was nominated for an Air Force Commendation Medal (with valor) and an Army Commendation medal for his actions. 

“Your training is what is going to bring you back alive. When it comes down to it and you are out there, you only have each other and your training,” he said.