Airman hero: Wounded Soldier saved from jet ski accident

  • Published
  • By Capt. Nora Eyle
  • 90th Space Wing Public Affairs
F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. --  Senior Airman Bruce Scheel Jr. saved a woman's life during his deployment, and it was lucky for her that the ground radio communications technician was there. 

The host nation where he was deployed sponsors a special off-base activity for service members. Airman Scheel took advantage of the opportunity to enjoy a day of jet skiing and beat the desert heat. This was a rare and special excursion for the military members, because it was an opportunity for them to relax and have an uncommon day off. 

After about two hours of jet skiing, he heard a crash and a shout. As Airman Scheel drew closer to the sound, he saw a severely injured woman in the water. 

"She kept on yelling, 'Oh God, help me,'" Airman Scheel said. 

An inch-deep, hand-sized gash ran down Army 2nd Lt. Elizabeth Sutey's knee. The other driver, who had crashed into the woman's jet ski, was also in the water and wasn't doing anything to aid her. 

"I didn't concentrate on him ... I was focused on getting her to safety," Airman Scheel said. 

The Airman didn't hesitate and rushed to assist her. He pulled the prone woman from the water and onto the back of his jet ski. He dragged the victim's arms around his waist and held them with one hand, while the other pressed hard on the throttle. 

He kept a constant dialogue; he talked to keep her conscious while she mumbled and fought through shock. As he drove to the beach, he shouted to others to call an ambulance. 

In seconds, his green life vest was covered in her blood. 

On the beach, Airman Scheel grasped her hand and tried to direct the Soldier's thoughts from focusing on her injury. Others put on a bandage and kept pressure on the wound as they waited for medical assistance to arrive. 

In twenty minutes, the victim was being transported to the hospital. Airman Scheel volunteered to go along with her. 

"She didn't want to let go of my hand," Airman Scheel said. 

"We weren't surprised by any of his actions, said Bruce Scheel Sr. "Bruce has always been one who is there for people who need him, whether he knows them or not. The reason he was even in the area was because of his desire to help other people. That was his reasoning for volunteering to go to the Middle East in the first place." 

At the hospital, Airman Scheel supported the injured Soldier for hours as the doctors worked on her injury. 

"They didn't use any pain medication, so I was glad to distract her and keep her from looking down at her injury," Airman Scheel said.
 
Thanks to his efforts, the Soldier returned to her unit after four weeks of recovery. Lieutenant Sutey and Airman Scheel keep in touch. 

"Every time people ask for the story, I tell them how lucky I was, not only in the accident but also that Airman Scheel was there," Lieutenant Sutey said. "I can't imagine having been able to get back to the beach on my own. I would have been in a lot more trouble if he hadn't come over to help." 

The evening after the event, Airman Scheel called his spouse, Airman First Class Heather Scheel, 90th Logistics Readiness Squadron. 

"It was really late when he called, but I do remember him telling me how everything kept running through his head," she said. "He just reacted without even considering the situation. I'm extremely proud to call him my husband." 

Although, he only heard the crash, from talking to the victim and base and local officials he thinks that the situation just became unsafe. 

"I think people got complacent out there," he said. "After two hours in the sun, she didn't see him coming toward her, and I think he was driving too fast." 

"Airman Scheel is a professional and decisive young leader, so I was not surprised when I heard about his heroism and quick reaction in a life or death situation," said Lt. Col. Shelley Campbell, 243rd Air Traffic Control Squadron commander. "His courage and initiative reflects greatly on his service to the Wyoming Air National Guard and his country." 

When asked if he considered himself a hero, Airman Scheel disagreed. 

"I don't like to consider myself a hero because I know that there are people who face much tougher situations when they are deployed," he said. "I would hope my fellow Airman would respond the same way if they were put in the same situation."