BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- An Airman assigned to the 2nd Operations Support Squadron helped rescue victims during Hurricane Harvey.
Senior Airman Bradley Matheney, 2nd OSS air field systems craftsman, is certified in search and rescue and is a part of the Louisiana State Search and Rescue team.
Matheney took eight days personal leave to travel Galveston, Cleveland, and Beaumont, Texas which were impacted by Hurricane Harvey. He traveled to the location with Louisiana State Search and rescue. However, he was often alone with the local fire department aiding in water rescue.
“I can go into the water and pull survivors out of vehicles,” Matheney said. “I can go from boats to vehicles to helicopters; I can deploy out of any of them.”
Matheney claims that he knows what it’s like to not have any help, and that is why he does what he does.
“I have been building myself for as long as I can remember, to help people that cannot help themselves,” Matheney said.
This is not the first time he has given his time to help those in need.
“I also took leave to help victims of the Baton Rouge, La. flooding in August of 2016,” Matheney said.
According to his supervisor, he volunteers to assist with relief efforts regularly.
“He helps with the survival, evasion, resistance, and escape (SERE) training on base and uses about half of his leave to go help victims of natural disasters,” said Tech. Sgt. Brandon McCubbins, noncommissioned officer in charge of air field systems. “He is a dedicated worker both at work and in his personal endeavors.”
Matheney feels his purpose in life is to help people. He plans to continue his training by pursuing a career as a SERE specialist. This will allow him to train other Airmen to survive and escape difficult situations. He is prepared to help anyone impacted by disaster.