Whiteman Spirit Award

  • Published
  • By 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Senior Airman Mike Womack and Airman Ronald Santos, 509th Maintenance Squadron, received Whiteman Spirit Awards from Brig. Gen. Garrett Harencak, 509th Bomb Wing commander,Feb. 11.

Master Sgt. Brad Plante, 509th MXS, nominated Airmen Womack and Santos for the award.

While returning to Whiteman Air Force Base from a Chapel sponsored trip to Colorado Springs, Colo., Airmen Womack and Santos noticed a motorist in distress on the opposite side of the interstate highway, Sergeant Plante said. The motorist's engine was engulfed in flames and he had given the vehicle up for loss as he jettisoned his belongings from the vehicle.

Airman Womack maneuvered the Government Service vehicle he was driving into position near the distressed motorist while Airman Santos broke a fire extinguisher from its brackets, exited the vehicle, and rushed toward the bellowing smoke and flames, Sergeant Plante said. The motorist was startled when he turned to see, that without asking, the flames coming from his engine were being extinguished by Airman Santos.

Airman Santos completely extinguished the flames, after expending the entire contents of the fire extinguisher into the engine compartment, Sergeant Plante said. Meanwhile, Airman Womack inspected the stranded vehicle to ensure there were no other flames as much smoke was present and then assured that the motorist was not injured.

The motorist was overjoyed that the Airmen had stopped to help as the fire department already enroute, but would have been too late to save his vehicle due to the rural location, Sergeant Plante said. The motorist was moving from Mass. to Cali. and had many of his personal belongings in the vehicle.

"Airmen Womack and Santos were selfless in their acts of initiative and courage, saving the property and potentially the life of a stranded citizen," Sergeant Plante said. "These acts reflect in everyway the core values of service before self and excellence in all we do, reflecting highly on the Air Force and Armed Forces of the United States."

Airman Ron Santos, Personally Speaking

Go-by name: Ron Santos

Duty Title: electro/environmental

Time on Station: 3 months

Time in Service: 10 months

Hometown: Saipan, Northern Marianas Island

Hobbies: Any beach related activities

Goals: To advance in the Air Force and become an officer. Also, to retire and work as a computer engineer.

Best thing about Whiteman: The people; a lot of good people at Whiteman AFB.

Pet Peeves: A lot of discipline, family values, and respect.

What motivates your winning spirit? My family and friends.

If you could change one thing about Whiteman, what would it be? Nothing really. I just don't like the weather and its too far from the beach.

Senior Airman Mike Womack, Personally Speaking 

Go-by name: Mike

Duty Title: B-2 crew chief

Time on Station: 1 year

Time in Service: 4 years

Hometown: Indianapolis

Hobbies: Reading, running, shooting, traveling, and fishing.

Goals: To become an Air Force heavy airlift pilot.

Best thing about Whiteman: The peace and quiet along with the '-ish' principle that gives the mid-west its trademark. And of course the people.

Pet Peeves: Cleanliness, discipline, and respect.

What motivates your winning spirit? My faith in God- to follow the example of Jesus, my Savior.

If you could change one thing about Whiteman, what would it be? To provide wider access of internet across the base, especially to all the dorm dwellers.