Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts –
A routine visit to Subway for lunch took an unexpected turn when a woman began choking and gasping for air.
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Merari Antunez, 439thth The Airlift Wing group administrative chief encountered and assisted in assisting a woman choking at the Subway at the Westover ARB Express gas station on Sunday, May 5, 2024.
Antunez immediately took action, providing life-saving medical attention and performing the Heimlich maneuver to remove the object and ensure the woman was able to breathe on her own again.
“It was a reflex, someone needed help and I just helped,” said Antunez. “I didn’t even really think about it. It wasn’t until the woman thanked me that I realized what had just happened.”
With dozens of hours of hands-on trauma training she had received years earlier as a medical technician in the 439th Thanks to her knowledge of first aid and her quick comprehension, Antunez was able to step in immediately and draw on her years of training.
“The only medical experience I’ve had was when I was at ASTS, but I haven’t really done that outside of it. So all of my medical training has come from either tech school, the annual tour, and our drills on the weekends. The fact that I react the way I do is because of our repetitive training that gets so ingrained in you. That’s why it’s so important to draw on that training.”
Antunez joined the Air Force Reserve in 2010 and shipped out for basic training in 2011. She joined Westover with the ASTS before changing career fields in 2019 and becoming part of the Airlift Wing Commander’s support staff.
“It was so powerful when she told me, ‘Thank you for saving my life,’ and I had to stop for a moment, go back to her and hug her,” Antunez said. “It really hit me after that.”
Anuntez’s heroic efforts were recognized by the First Sergeants Council and she was presented with the Diamond Sharp Award. The award recognizes outstanding Airmen and Guardians who go above and beyond in their daily lives.
“Your courageous and quick actions that saved the life of a civilian at Westover ARB are a symbol of heroism and excellence,” the award said.
