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Rescue puts fireman in position for heroism award

By Tech. Sgt. Andeelynn Fifrick , 341st Space Wing Public Affairs Office / Published September 21, 2006

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MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- "He risked his life to save mine."

Those are the words of Don Beatty - they are also the reason why Staff Sgt. Paul Nowak, 341st Civil Engineer Squadron, was selected as the AFSPC Air Force Sergeant's Association Pitsenbarger Heroism Award Nominee for 2006.

On Aug. 18, 2005, Mr. Beatty's ultralight aircraft became tangled in power lines north of Black Eagle. According to Mr. Beatty, the sun blinded him for a moment causing him to crash into the power lines.

"I've been flying the ultralight for more than eight years and this was the first problem I've ever had," Mr. Beatty said.

The call for assistance was made by the Black Eagle Fire Department in the early evening of the 18th. Sergeant Nowak, who as fate would have it, was working on his day off, and Mr. Jason Carnahan answered the call and responded with one of the department's rescue vehicles.

"The way it was explained to me was there was an airplane caught in power lines," Sergeant Nowak said. "I wasn't sure what we'd be able to do, but we responded ready to help." Malmstrom's fire department employs the only high-angle rescue technicians in the area and their expertise was needed for this particular situation.

"As our truck broke the crest of a hill, I saw the parachute in the power lines," Sergeant Nowak said. "When we arrived on scene, one of the guys looked at me and asked, 'Can you get him down?'"

For more than three hours, Mr. Beatty hung upside down 80 feet off the ground while rescue crews exercised a variety of options. Finally, when the city fire department's ladder truck came up short, the decision to use the crane was made. Western Area Power Administration workers turned off power to the lines and Sergeant Nowak was lifted up to Mr. Beatty.

"I had the crane operator stop me a few feet from Mr. Beatty so he wasn't able to grab me," Sergeant Nowak said. "I told him who I was and what I was going to do. After that, he calmed down and I was able to secure him in the bucket with me."

Due to the limited space in the bucket, Sergeant Nowak had to lower Mr. Beatty in head first and secure him before he was able to cut Mr. Beatty away from the power lines. 

"I came out injury free thanks to his skillful execution of the rescue," Mr. Beatty said. 

"It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to help someone in a situation like this," Sergeant Nowak said. The seasoned noncommissioned officer has been in Fire and Emergency Services for more than seven years.

Sergeant Nowak and Mr. Beatty have since forged a lifelong friendship.
"Mr. Beatty calls me every couple months just to check up on me," Sergeant Nowak said.

Mr. Beatty was present for Sergeant Nowak's award presentation June 12.
"I wouldn't have missed it," Mr. Beatty said. "I just have boundless gratitude for what he did for me."
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