FORT SMITH, Ark. – An Arkansas National Guard member’s quick thinking saved lives after he saw a car crash while on his way to work at the Ebbing Air National Guard base in Fort Smith.
Master Sgt. Greggory Brewer received the Vanguard Award for his actions. Arkansas National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Jonathan M. Stubbs and Command Sgt. Maj. Gregory presented the award for exceptional bravery and selflessness on Feb. 24 during a Guard state conference.
According to a National Guard release, Brewer was on his way to work as a readiness and emergency manager for the 188th Civil Engineering Squadron on June 11, 2023, when he saw a car swerve off the road and wrap around a tree. Trained in tactical combat casualty care, he stopped his car and went to the crashed car to see if he could help, according to a guard spokesperson.
The spokesperson continued that when Brewer checked the car he found two people, one of whom was bleeding heavily from an artery wound. Brewer, who officials said carries two first aid kits in his car, got a tourniquet and staunched the blood flow.
Officials added that while he was treating the injured, Brewer coordinated with local emergency services. When emergency responders arrived Brewer commandeered equipment and extracted the two victims from the wrecked car, who were then taken to the hospital.
Officials said Brewer then reported to work less than an hour late, his uniform bloody from the encounter.
188th squadron commander Lt. Col. Riley Donoho was understandably proud of the squadron member.
“When I found out, my immediate reaction was that I was proud of him and proud that he is part of the 188th CES,” Donoho said.
Brewer called his ability to intervene effectively “divine intervention.”
“Just the day before I was participating in TCCC [tactical combat casualty care] training,” he said. “We went through everything from wound packing to tourniquet drills and had a simulated real-world scenario with role players.”
The 188th Air Wing has a history at the Ebbing base dating back to 1953 and is currently operating the MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft.