Deployed Warrior saves life Published Feb. 22, 2007 By Senior Airman Erik Hofmeyer Desert Eagle, Editor SOUTHWEST ASIA -- It was like any normal lunch, for any Airman at any given dining facility. A time to get out of the heat, sit down together and talk about everything from work or family to any events from the day. An Airman takes a big bite of a chicken breast and washes it down with a cold beverage. Then something went wrong - it was stuck. He tried swallowing, but nothing happened. He tried to clear his throat, but no air came out. This situation presented itself recently at a 379th Air Expeditionary Wing dining facility. Senior Airman Joseph Wylie, deployed from the 319th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, calmly stood up when he realized he was choking and grabbed Master Sgt. Brent Cook, also deployed from the 319th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, by the arm. Sergeant Cook immediately performed the Heimlich maneuver on Airman Wylie, applying upward pressure on the upper abdomen to push the chicken bone out from his trachea. "It was scary," said Airman Wylie. "I felt like I was going to pass out and end up in a hospital with a tube down my throat." Sergeant Cook's quick thinking ensured that Airman Wylie only ended up with a scratched throat. "I knew it wasn't some kind of joke when I saw his eyes get big and the shocked look on his face," said Sergeant Cook. "Before, I had always wondered how I'd react if an emergency like this ever happened." Coincidentally, Sergeant Cook's quick actions occurred around Wingman Week, a concept that was developed to emphasize a culture of responsible choices and the need for Airmen to watch out for each other.