36th FSS Airman renders first aid during traffic accident

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Shane Dunaway
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  A routine trip home from work became a rush to rescue for a senior airman from the 36th Force Support Squadron.

Senior Airman Jonathan Ardis, who recently arrived on station from Osan Air Base, Korea, was driving along Route 1 when he noticed a traffic accident.

According to Airman Ardis, a gold car struck a black truck that pulled onto the busy road. After five cars passed by the accident without stopping, he sprung into action.

"When I got out of my vehicle and went over to the scene of the accident, the girl in the gold car was screaming that she couldn't open her eyes," Airman Ardis said. "She had two gashes on her forehead. I removed my BDU top and used my black T-shirt to stop the bleeding until the ambulance arrived."

After 10 minutes of providing first aid, first responders arrived on-scene to assume control.

Airman Ardis credits his Air Force training and his previous experiences for his preparation to prevail at a moment's notice.

"Right when I saw her head, I knew exactly what to do," Airman Ardis said. "During my time in Korea, we must've had at least 15 exercises, so you could say I was well-prepared."

Although Airman Ardis has been on island for less than a month, he's already making a solid first impression in his chain of command.

"Airman Ardis' actions are a prime example of an Airman adhering to our core values and using Air Force training effectively to aid a member of our local community," said Master Sgt. Kelly Halferty, 36th FSS first sergeant. "His initiative, sense of urgency and preparedness are traits all Airmen at Andersen should emulate."