Airman receives call from the president Published Dec. 3, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Michael Charles Nellis Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev -- Airman 1st Class Thomas Everett, an Airman deployed from Nellis AFB serving as a Fly Away Security Team member with the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron in Southwest Asia, received a call from President George W. Bush Nov 27. Airman Everett was one of two deployed Airmen who received a Thanksgiving phone call from President Bush thanking them for their service and wishing them a happy holiday. Recently Airman Everett was nominated by the 386th Expeditionary Mission Support Group to receive the Airman's Medal Accommodation Award. The Airman's Medal is a military decoration awarded to those that distinguish themselves through heroic actions. During a cargo mission in early August, Airman Everett saved another Airman's life during an in-flight emergency. The hydraulic pump of the C-130 Hercules malfunctioned 45 minutes into flight during a routine cargo mission to the Horn of Africa. The malfunctioning pump filled the plane with smoke. Airman Everett and Airman 1st Class William Dale, another Airman deployed from Nellis AFB serving as a Fly Away Security Team member with the 386th ESFS in Southwest Asia, both put on emergency passenger oxygen mechanisms. Airman Everett realized that Airman Dale was nearly unconscious even with the oxygen mechanism on. He then checked the Airman's EPOS and found that it wasn't working. Airman Everett fixed the problem and saved Airman Dale from a lack of oxygen. The heroic efforts of Airman Everett earned him the distinct opportunity of talking with the commander in chief.
