Inspiring story for SUPT grads

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - Col. Clinton ZumBrunnen, 437th Airlift Wing commander at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., spoke to the Air Force’s newest aviators during Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 20-03’s graduation ceremony here Nov. 15. ZumBrunnen’s speech embodied inspiration for the new pilots. He told the graduates of a story about retired Army Staff Sgt. Dan Powers, a former squadron leader of the 118th Military Police Company, and how an aircrew’s skillful tactics helped save his life while deployed in 2007 in Iraq. Powers responded to a vehicle bombing with orders to keep pedestrians from the blast site. As he was guiding bystanders away, an assailant stabbed in the back of the head with a 9-inch blade, ZumBrunnen said. “He should’ve died instantly,” but over the next 32 hours, a careful symphony of modern medicine, advanced communications, unquestionable logistics and an air bridge across the Atlantic Ocean, provided by the Air Force would come together to save his life. … (Source: CAFB 11/27/19) https://www.columbus.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2028566/airlift-wing-commander-delivers-inspiring-story-to-supt-20-03-graduates/