News

Two generations of service members meet at Rodeo 2011

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Denise Hauser
  • 446th Airlift Wiing Public Affairs
MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. --  A fateful day in 1975 briings two generations of service members together 35 years later at McChord Field during Rodeo 2011.

Reservists with the 446th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron met with two Vietnam War veterans at a C-5 Galaxy static display on Thursday during Rodeo at Joint Base Lewis McChord-McChord Field. Retired Colonel's Dennis "Bud" Traynor and Regina Aune survived a plane crash in 1975 at the end of the war as they were evacuating children from the country as part of Operation Babylift, a humanitarian effort to relocate hundreds of war orphans to the U.S.  This mission was the first in the operation.

Aune was severly injured in the crash, but she worked until she could no longer stand, carrying as many people as she could to safety.  For this selfless act, she 
became the first and only woman to receive the Cheney Award, recognizing an act of valor "in a humanitarian interest performed in connection with aircraft."
 
Traynor was presented the Air Force Cross, the second highest award that can be given to a member of the U.S. Air Force.  It may be awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the U.S Air Force, distinguishes himself by extraordinary heroism in combat.

Thanks to their bravery, Operation Babylift continued successfully.