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Anyone who has binged on a favorite show knows that three hours can fly by in the blink of an eye. For U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Larry Nice, 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron aeromedical evacuation technician, three hours was all he had to prepare a C-17 to pick up two wounded U.S. Soldiers.
The Indiana native proved rank is just a label during the Feb. 25 mission. Despite being the lowest-ranking of the AE crew, Nice assumed the role of Charge Medical Technician and methodically led the preflight and loading of all in-flight medical equipment. He supervised and delegated tasks in such a way that the crew was able to meet a reduced timeline for preflight and takeoff.
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mark R. August, 86th Airlift Wing commander, praised Nice for his ability to rise to the challenge: “We’re here to do what Staff Sgt. [select] Nice did for us. To take care of our Airmen, and take care of Soldiers who are injured at the point of impact. To get them back to where help is given. I can’t think of a better Airman that has emphasized such professional airlift.”
“I couldn’t have done it without my crew,” said Nice. “They really helped out. It was awesome and nerve wracking at the same time, just due to the situation and it being the first true urgent mission I’ve ever done. They were kind of intimidating with all the experience they had and they walked in and said, ‘you’re in charge right?’ I said, ‘I’ll take it.’ It was nerve wracking, but there was that comfort there, knowing that I had skill behind me if something went wrong. That was a neat experience all around.”
For his quick-thinking and exceptional leadership during the time-critical patient evacuation mission, Nice was named Airlifter of the Week.
The Airlifter of the Week program recognizes Ramstein Airmen who, through hard work and dedication, make the 86th AW the World’s Best Wing.
