Tue, Jun 23, 2009
Four U.S. Air Force Academy cadets saved three Panamanians from
drowning earlier this month while on a foreign immersion trip to
Central America.
The cadets were returning from a trip to Panama's inland
mountain area of Boquete when Academy Department of Foreign
Languages Spanish Instructor Victor Nell decided to take a break
and let the 13 cadets go for a swim in the Pacific Ocean along
Panama's Santa Clara Beach.
Mr. Nell was swimming with Cadet 3rd Class Ben Garoutte when he
noticed two young ladies swimming about 30 meters away.
"It was obvious they were in big trouble and were calling for
help," Mr. Nell said. "I swam out to them and Cadet Garoutte
followed me. We were basically in a rip tide type of current and
being pulled out away from the beach."
According to Mr. Nell, an assistant professor, he was trying to
keep one of them afloat and struggling to keep her calm. Cadet
Garoutte helped with the other young lady. Cadet 3rd Class Bryan
Koenig helped the professor keep her afloat and take her to
shore.
Mr. Nell said he turned around and noticed a Panamanian man
struggling and screaming, "¡Auxilio me ahogo!" -- Spanish for
"Help, I'm drowning!"
"I was about 15 meters from him at
this time and pretty tired and luckily Cadets 3rd Class Derrick
Rowe and Allan Foote arrived just in time to help him and pull him
to shore," he said. "The cadets were phenomenal and very courageous
and the likelihood is that the three Panamanians would probably
have drowned," Mr. Nell said. "The four cadets had the courage to
get in and help. I was extremely impressed with their swimming
skills and their courage to come to the aid of people they did not
even know.
The travelers arrived in Panama May 20 and are scheduled to
return to the Academy June 19. [ANN Salutes Butch Wehry, U.S. Air
Force Academy Public Affairs]
More News
Newest USAF Drone Begins Process in Earnest The YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft has begun its flight testing in coordination with the U.S. Air Force, taking a vital step towa>[...]
“What a great moment for the U.S. Air Force and for GA-ASI. It’s been our collaboration that enabled us to build and fly the YFQ-42A in just over a year. It’s an >[...]
Airline Pilots Jettisoned 15,000 Pounds of Fuel Over Populated Areas Five years after one of its Boeing 777s dumped 15,000 pounds of jet fuel onto neighborhoods, Delta Air Lines ha>[...]
GAO Report Says that Only 69 Aviation Meteorologists Work Alongside ATC A federal watchdog says the FAA is running the nation’s air traffic system with fewer weather experts >[...]
Also: 500-Aircraft Deal With China, Florida ANG's F-35, FAA Denies Petition, UC Central Arkansas Aviation Academy The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) is offering its apologies t>[...]
YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft Starts Flight Testing
See All