HILL AIR FORCE BASE – A local Utah Airman is being honored for his actions in an hours-long fire fight in Afghanistan last year.
Staff Sergeant Kyle Bushey was on his first deployment last May in Afghanistan, when his training was put to the test to help save the lives of his team members.
Sgt. Bushey is part of the 775th EOD Flight, his team was to clear out a cave where insurgents housed improvised explosive devices.
During the 12-hour operation, Bushey’s team came under heavy enemy fire.
At one point, Sgt. Bushey blacked out from heat exhaustion and once he snapped out of it, he was able to provide cover for a team member who was trying to help a wounded soldier to safety.
Despite rounds striking just inches from him, Sgt. Bushey fired at an opening in a cave that allowed troops to safely evacuate an injured platoon leader.
The enemies were killed and no American lives were lost.
"When I was in the moment, all I could think of was what could I do to help my team and what I could do to help everybody get out alive," Sgt. Bushey said. "But at the same time, I guess what I was also thinking about was I wanted to see my son for the first time. He was not born yet."
Bushey came home that summer and was able to be there for the birth of his son, Carson, Sept. 30.
He said his days at Hill Air Force Base are much more calm than in Afghanistan.
But Bushey said he is prepared to serve if he is deployed.
He has been nominated for the Bronze Star with Valor for his actions.
