Airmen save a man’s life at Travis AFB

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgts. Trinity Gore, center, and Joshua Swanson, center right, 136th Logistics Readiness Squadron transportation journeymen, and Senior Airman Dean Hyslop, 60th Aerial Port Squadron data records technician, receive the Air and Space Commendation Medal and the Air and Space Achievement Medal at Travis Air Force Base (AFB), California, Aug. 22, 2025. Gore, Swanson and Hyslop were recognized for responding with lifesaving medical care to a man who had collapsed on the flight line at Travis AFB. Gore and Swanson administered CPR for approximately 10 minutes while Hyslop called emergency services, keeping the man alive until Travis firefighters and medical responders arrived. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Robert Nichols)

Airmen save a man’s life at Travis AFB

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joshua Swanson, center right, 136th Logistics Readiness Squadron (LRS) transportation journeyman, poses for a photo with Lt. Col. Chelsey McMasters, 60th Aerial Port Squadron (APS) commander, during a recognition ceremony at Travis Air Force Base (AFB), California, Aug. 22, 2025. Swanson and Staff Sgt. Trinity Gore, 136th LRS transportation journeyman, were awarded the Air and Space Commendation Medal and Senior Airman Dean Hyslop, 60th APS data records technician, was awarded the Air and Space Achievement Medal. Gore, Swanson and Hyslop were recognized for responding with lifesaving medical care to a man who had collapsed on the flight line at Travis AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Robert Nichols)

Airmen save a man’s life at Travis AFB

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Dean Hyslop, center, 60th Aerial Port Squadron (APS) data records technician, poses for a photo with Lt. Col. Chelsey McMasters, 60th APS commander, during a recognition ceremony at Travis Air Force Base (AFB), California, Aug. 22, 2025. Hyslop was awarded the Air and Space Achievement Medal alongside Staff Sgts. Joshua Swanson and Trinity Gore, 136th Logistics Readiness Squadron transportation journeymen, who were awarded Air and Space Commendation Medals, for responding with lifesaving medical care to a man who had collapsed on the flight line at Travis AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Robert Nichols)

Airmen save a man’s life at Travis AFB

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Dean Hyslop, center, 60th Aerial Port Squadron (APS) data records technician, receives the Air and Space Achievement Medal, presented by Lt. Col. Chelsey McMasters, 60th APS commander, during a recognition ceremony at Travis Air Force Base (AFB), California, Aug. 22, 2025. Hyslop was recognized alongside Staff Sgts. Joshua Swanson and Trinity Gore, 136th Logistics Readiness Squadron transportation journeymen, for responding with lifesaving medical care to a man who had collapsed on the flight line at Travis AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Robert Nichols)

Airmen save a man’s life at Travis AFB

An Air and Space Commendation Medal and Air and Space Achievement Medal rest on a table during a recognition ceremony at Travis Air Force Base (AFB), California, Aug. 22, 2025. These medals are awarded to U.S. and allied military personnel for meritorious achievement and service while serving with the U.S. Air Force or U.S. Space Force, with acts of courage or sustained performance also qualifying. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Robert Nichols)

Airmen save a man’s life at Travis AFB

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Trinity Gore, center right, 136th Logistics Readiness Squadron (LRS) transportation journeyman, poses for a photo with Lt. Col. Chelsey McMasters, 60th Aerial Port Squadron (APS) commander, during a recognition ceremony at Travis Air Force Base (AFB), California, Aug. 22, 2025. Gore and Staff Sgt. Joshua Swanson, 136th LRS transportation journeyman, center right, were awarded the Air and Space Commendation Medal and Senior Airman Dean Hyslop, 60th APS data records technician, was awarded the Air and Space Achievement Medal. Gore, Swanson and Hyslop were recognized for responding with lifesaving medical care to a man who had collapsed on the flight line at Travis AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Robert Nichols)

Airmen save a man’s life at Travis AFB

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Trinity Gore, right, 136th Logistics Readiness Squadron transportation journeyman, receives the Air and Space Commendation Medal, presented by Lt. Col. Chelsey McMasters, 60th Aerial Port Squadron commander, during a recognition ceremony at Travis Air Force Base (AFB), California, Aug. 22, 2025. Gore was one of three Airmen who responded with lifesaving medical care to a man who had collapsed on the flight line at Travis AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Robert Nichols)

Airmen save a man’s life at Travis AFB

Published Sept. 2, 2025
By Senior Airman Robert Nichols
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --

When a man collapsed on the flight line at Travis AFB, Aug. 12, 2025, three U.S. Airmen saw what happened, grasped the gravity of the situation and took action that was instrumental in saving his life.

Staff Sgts. Trinity Gore and Joshua Swanson, 136th Logistics Readiness Squadron transportation journeymen from Naval Air Station Fort Worth, Joint Reserve Base, Texas, and Travis’s own Senior Airman Dean Hyslop, 60th Aerial Port Squadron (APS) data records technician, were on the flight line performing an Air Terminal Operations Center (ATOC) training, when Gore witnessed a civilian contractor collapse as he was about to board an aircraft. Gore ran over to the individual and checked his pulse, quickly joined by Swanson and Hyslop, who, after checking for a pulse, began CPR.

“He fell at the base of the staircase [of the jet],” said Gore. “I just watched him fall straight down and I said [to Swanson], ‘that’s not a test, right?’ I ran over there and saw that he was taking abnormal breaths every 10 seconds and not responding [to verbal commands].”

Hyslop called 911 and security forces while attempting to locate an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). As Swanson and Gore continued administering CPR, Hyslop then called ATOC to update them on the situation and keep the flight line clear for emergency services.

For approximately ten minutes, Swanson and Gore continuously performed CPR while checking for a pulse. They eventually found a pulse and the individual’s ID showing that he is a retired veteran.

Travis AFB Fire Chiefs Chris Muriset, Don Richert and Airman Ethan Whiteman, 60th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, soon arrived on the scene and took over performing CPR, administered an AED and provided spine stabilization. Medics arrived and administered epinephrine and oxygen, and the individual soon became responsive with improved respiration. He was then transported to David Grant USAF Medical Center where his condition stabilized.

Gore is a practicing nurse when she isn’t working as a transportation journeyman for the 136th LRS and Swanson has experience as a lifeguard. Swanson recalls advice from his father who has a background in law enforcement.

“[My father] always mentioned he trains for the day,” said Swanson, “you don’t know what’s going to happen, but you know that there’s going to be a serious event that happens one day in your life. As a new Airman, your life before the Air Force and your experiences in the Air Force always prepare you for that day.”

Hyslop had no external experience that would’ve prepared him to respond as he did, only routine Tactical Combat Casualty Care training he had undergone two weeks prior.

Swanson and Gore were each awarded the Air and Space Commendation Medal and Hyslop was awarded the Air and Space Achievement Medal for their heroic performance.

Lt. Col. Chelsey McMasters, 60th APS commander, highlighted the significance of each Airman’s background that contributed to Air Force excellence.

“We’re not just wearing this uniform,” said McMasters. “We all come from different backgrounds and that’s what makes us such a great force. Our Airmen have that quick nature to think through and identify an emergency situation and quite truly save a life.”