Edwards Airman receives Purple Heart

  • Published
  • By Kenji Thuloweit
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Since the war on terror began close to 10 years ago, one term has entered the American lexicon that signifies the dangers of combating terrorism - IED.

Improvised explosive devices have killed or wounded thousands of servicemembers in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

One of those wounded servicemembers was honored here at Edwards in the Base Theater Feb. 10.

Senior Airman Juan Carpena, 95th Security Forces Squadron patrolman, received his Purple Heart Medal from 95th Air Base Wing commander Col. Gregory E. Schwab during a 95th SFS commander‟s call in the base theater.

The Purple Heart is given to a servicemember for "being wounded or killed in any action against an enemy of the United States or as a result of an act of any such enemy or opposing armed forces."

Airman Carpena's family and dozens of Airmen were in attendance to witness Colonel Schwab pin the medal on Airman Carpena for sustaining injuries halfway around the world.

While stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Airman Carpena deployed to Iraq where he served as an M240 gunner with the 887th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, which was based at Camp Bucca in Southern Iraq.

On the night of March 2, 2008, he and his fellow Airmen were on their way back to Camp Bucca at 11 p.m. after finishing up their shift securing travel routes around the camp.

That's when his Humvee was hit by an IED.

"It forced the Humvee to drift a complete 360 degrees for about 30 feet, without flipping," said Airman Carpena. "I lost consciousness for about 13 seconds, sustained minor cuts on my face and three shrapnel wounds on my arms during the attack."

He managed to get out and established security from potential enemies while the other wounded Airmen in his truck regrouped and his squad set up a perimeter.

The truck commander, the interpreter and the driver of Airman Carpena's Humvee all received injuries including a separated shoulder, multiple bruises and cuts.

Airman Carpena said his squad had to wait an hour for reinforcements, who were delayed by another IED attack.

Once help arrived, the wounded Airman resumed his gunner job with a new Humvee, which was brought for the wounded. Everyone mounted up and returned to base while his fellow Airmen were being treated on the way.

They got back to Camp Bucca around 2 a.m. and headed straight for the clinic.

Although he sustained serious wounds, Airman Carpena managed to get back to duty and return to work with his wingmen.

"Two shrapnel that are about an inch-and-a-half went an inch deep into my left arm and a piece of penny-sized shrapnel went into my right hand. I had minor cuts all over my face, causing blood to cover my whole face. The clinic on Camp Bucca treated my wounds and did a complete check-up on my body and my head. They released me on the same night and gave me five days to recover. After a day I decided to go back to work, to being a gunner in my squad."

"It changed a lot of my perspective towards the Air Force. We contributed and performed the same jobs and missions normally carried out by other services. As a whole, I see all the services as one big family that takes care and helps each other out. In my deployment, I experienced the Air Force working side by side with other services, such as the Army and Marines, without any problems. I saw the unity of our military in its fullest. Everybody got along with each other like we have met them before. At work, the core values from each service shows, no matter what branch of service."

Airman Carpena's unit in Iraq, the 887th ESFS, was activated in May 2007 and left Camp Bucca Dec. 3, 2009. During that time, the squadron endured 40 improvised explosive device detonations, cleared another 16 IEDs and withstood multiple small arms attacks. As a result of their accomplishments, they've been awarded more than 1,000 medals.

Airman Carpena just arrived to the 95th SFS Dec. 28, where he patrols the streets of Edwards instead of the roads of Iraq. And, not even two months after arriving on station, he was presented with one of the highest medals and honors in the United States military.

"Many have earned it for their valor and great sacrifice," said Airman Carpena. "I was speechless to hear that I was being awarded the Purple Heart. I didn't expect that I would get this opportunity for my actions. I am so honored and lucky to be one of them, to receive the same medal as the men and women that made sacrifices for protection of our freedom. I want my family, friends and everybody to be proud of me for what I contribute to our country."