Air Guard Master Sgt. Michael Roe, a Poughkeepsie resident, awarded Meritorious Service Medal

NEWBURGH, New York (05/25/2022) — New York Air National Guard Master Sgt. Michael Roe, a Poughkeepsie resident, has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his actions taken while supporting the evacuation of Afghan allies of the United States from Kabul, Afghanistan in August of 2021.

Roe was one of three flying crew chiefs assigned to the 105th Airlift Wing recognized for their accomplishments during a May 15 ceremony at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York.

The Meritorious Service Medal is awarded for achievement in a designated combat zone.

Roe was recognized for his accomplishments between August 22 and Sept. 2, 2021, while the Airmen assigned to the 105th Airlift Wing were operating C-17 Globemaster III aircraft in support of Operation Allies Refuge.

As the Taliban closed in on Afghanistan's capital sooner than anticipated, the Air Force mounted repeated missions to fly people from Hamid Karzai International Airport to bases outside that country.

Roe was assigned to an aircrew in order to provide maintenance support as required.

Roe was recognized for going above and beyond his normal duties during these missions.

"As he and his crew were waiting on the ramp at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar a call came over the radio from an aircraft nearby experiencing multiple medical emergencies. As emergency services were heavily tasked, Sergeant Roe jumped at the opportunity to aid the medical officer assigned to his crew and accompanied him to the distressed airplane," the citation says.

"He learned, on the fly, to record blood pressure and pulse, identify signs of dehydration and heat stroke, and administer basic medical care to refugees with a litany of medical issues," according to the Air Force.

"Days later, after the crew's medical officer was reassigned elsewhere, Sergeant Roe and his crew were tasked to evacuate over four-hundred refugees from Afghanistan. Without a medical crew member on board, Sergeant Roe stepped up, using the impromptu training he received to administer medical care to malnourished and ill refugees, issuing hydration packs and passing out his own food and candy to children," according to Air Force.

"He stepped outside his role as a Crew Chief, doing what he could to improve a difficult situation, and embodied the core values of Service Before Self and Excellence in All We Do, "his citation says.

The 105th Airlift Wing, based at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, flies the C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft on cargo and troop carrier missions supporting U.S. military operations around the globe. The wing's personnel also support New York State emergency response missions when called upon by the governor.

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