LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Unit and job title: 47th Civil Engineer Squadron fire protection apprentice
Why he XLed: Airman 1st Class James Nicholson III, 47th Civil Engineer Squadron fire protection apprentice provided critical medical care for a patient with a mutilated hand, ultimately saving the patient’s limb. He expedited the transport of a patient that fainted during a workout, monitoring vitals and administering oxygen, steps vital to a full recovery. Nicholson led an agent program that inventoried and verified the serviceability of 700 gallons of foam and more than 2,000 pounds of dry chemicals, maintaining national safety standards. Nicholson is dedicated to higher education, enrolling in critical college math courses and acquiring three credit hours toward his CCAF degree. He also revamped his shop’s rescue equipment program, certifying more than 2,000 feet of rope and 10 harnesses, capturing 100 percent life safety compliance. Nicholson was also elected firefighter association secretary, governing all correspondence and records for that organization.