Members help 'guard' a life

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Betty Squatrito-Martin
  • 154th Wing Public Affairs
KORAT ROYAL THAI AIR BASE, Thailand --  A Hawaii Air National Guard member was medically evacuated to the Bumungrad Hospital in Bangkok at approximately 5 p.m. Feb. 1, after undergoing successful heart surgery at Ratchisima Bangkok Hospital in Korat.

Staff Sgt. Avery Jaena, 38, arrived at the hospital in Bangkok around 5:45 p.m. and is now in the Intensive Care Unit recovering. He is a member of the 154th Maintenance Squadron, Hickam Air Force Base, Hi.

According to the doctors, he will need to remain in Bangkok at least a week before he can be transported. Two Guard members will stay with Sergeant Jaena until he can be transported home.

According to Maj. Duke Ota, 154th MS maintenance officer in charge during Cope Tiger, Sergeant Jaena started feeling chest pains about 3 a.m. on Feb 1.

"Sergeant Jaena thought it was a 'muscle thing' that he just needed to stretch out," said Major Ota.

However, he was discovered by Tech. Sgt. Carlos Diaz and Senior Airman Rod Baker, 199th Life Support Squadron, as they left for work.

"He told us his chest was sore; that it felt like someone was stepping on his chest," said Airman Baker.

The two Airmen helped Sergeant Jaena dress, gather his necessary identification cards and assisted him to the maintenance complex.

"Every fifth step he had to stop to take a breath," said Sergeant Diaz. "When we got off the bus he collapsed and went to one knee; he didn't even have the energy to sit in a chair."

The Guard members contacted Senior Chief Gonzalez, Navy corpsman, at his hotel. Senior Chief Gonzalez, accompanied by Major Ota and Airman Baker, escorted Sergeant Jaena to Ratchasima Bangkok Hospital where the doctors immediately ordered a series of cardiac tests and found he had a 100-percent blockage in one of his arteries. Sergeant Jaena was immediately taken to surgery to relieve the blockage.

"We didn't know what the severity of the problem. I was thinking it was heart burn or that he was having a reaction to some food," said Sergeant Diaz.

"I was scared for him, worried for him. I am just glad that he's okay," said Airman Baker.

According to Major Ota, it was a good thing the Airmen did everything they did because it saved Sergeant Jaena's life.

"It all worked out, thank goodness," said Sergeant Diaz. "It felt good to help, he's a Guard member and part of the family. We just wanted to take care of him."