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Support Airman of the Week: TSgt. Perkins

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  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs

Tech Sgt. Cy Perkins, 82nd Medical Operations Squadron NCO in charge and patient advocate for the family health clinic is a native of Fayetteville, North Carolina, and has been in the Air Force for 15 years. Perkins was selected as the Support Airman of the Week at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, for the week of July 19-25, 2016.

 

Most significant accomplishments:

 

“I responded to a 911 call and upon further evaluation of the circumstances, I activated and stood up the disaster team along with the administration team,” Perkins said. “The lives of 14 pararescue trainees were saved from exposure to high levels of chlorine. I was recognized for my efforts and coined by the squadron commander.”

 

“I was part of a team of medics that stayed behind to provide emergency medical care during Hurricane Katrina,” he said. “It’s a depressing story but patients received the care they needed and the mission continued on.”

 

“I established and built two medical clinics while deployed in Ethiopia with a small medical team,” he continued. “We were the medical support for the 100 person unit. We worked every day for six months; it was an amazing experience.”

 

“While in Africa I set up a charity that raised $1,500 for clothing in just six months for underprivileged Ethiopian children,” said Perkins. “Donations came in from all over the United States. I personally bought and mailed each person that donated a thank you note and a pound of delicious Ethiopian coffee.

 

“I was hand selected to teach NATO forces gathered in Bosnia on how the U.S. Air Force sets up deployed hospitals and provides care during wartime,” he said. “I had the opportunity to work with medics from other countries and see how they operate.”

Airman’s story:

“I’m just going where life takes me,” Perkins said. “I joined the Air Force and fell into the footsteps of my grandfather who was a career Air Force medic. I met my wife while we were both stationed at Keesler and we have two boys. I’ve been to many different places in this world and it’s always nice being with our Air Force family. All-in-all life has been pretty good up to this point.”

Supervisor’s comments:

“Tech. Sergeant Perkins supports the training mission by providing medical support to the active duty members of Sheppard Air Force Base, NATO personnel and their beneficiaries,” said Master Sgt. Pablo Aguilar, 82nd MDOS primary care flight chief. “He brings a breadth of knowledge and utilizes it to educate the family health clinic and overall ensures continuity of care to our patients.”