Staff Sergeant Deante Brooks
455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Security Forces Specialist

Staff Sergeant Deante Brooks deployed to Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan in 2010 as a member of the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron.

On May 19, while performing a security sweep of the perimeter of the airfield, Sergeant Brooks and a Security Forces teammate were stopped by a pair of U.S. Marines. The Marines warned Sergeant Brooks and his partner that unidentified individuals were approaching the base, crossing barriers and terrain at an alarming rate. Swiftly, Sergeant Brooks and his wingman, along with their Marine comrades, selected a course of action.

The group realized they must engage the enemy. As the four Americans approached barriers being used as cover by the insurgents, they began taking enemy fire. The improvised team returned fire, but the two Marines were forced to fall back. Sergeant Brooks, meanwhile, was still engaged with the combatants when he heard a scream; his wingman had been injured by a grenade.

Though still under fire, Sergeant Brooks began providing emergency first aid to the Airman. As news of additional belligerents approaching the perimeter circulated, Sergeant Brooks realized he must get his teammate to safety immediately. Sergeant Brooks raced to the base hospital with the wounded Airman, providing assistance and reassurance along the way.

Once he ensured that the injured Airman arrived safely at the medical facility, Sergeant Brooks refocused his attention. He mounted his vehicle and returned to the fight, manning a 50-caliber machine gun until a helicopter arrived to provide aerial reinforcement.

Sergeant Brooks’ heroic actions on May 19 epitomize the indomitable spirit of the American Airman.