TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – “Sir, can you hear me? If you can hear my voice, squeeze my hand. We’ve called for help; everything is going to be okay,” recalled Tech Sgt. Keosha Middleton, 325th Force Support Squadron services specialist.
Middleton was recently awarded the American Red Cross Lifesaving Award on June 11, 2025, at Tyndall Air Force Base for saving a life while stationed at Yokota Air Base, Japan. The award recognizes a lifesaving act performed by an individual who utilized skills learned through Red Cross health and safety training.
Col. Douglas Kabel, 325th Fighter Wing deputy commander, presented the award from the American Red Cross North Florida Region to her in front of her leadership and wingmen.
While working at the Samurai Fitness Center at Yokota Air Base, Japan, in 2024, Middleton witnessed an elderly patron collapse in the hallway. She rushed to help the man and realized that the situation was severe.
The man had stopped breathing, and Middleton and another Airman couldn’t find a pulse.
“My troop looked at me and asked, ‘What do we do?’ and the first thing I said was ‘CPR!’,” Middleton recalled. “My instincts and training just kicked in. We called for help and kept doing what we could until they arrived.”
Within the first 30 days of being assigned to work in the fitness center, a services Airman must complete Red Cross Training, which includes first aid, CPR, and automated external defibrillator training. Middleton used what she learned in these trainings to tend to the patron while waiting for the paramedics.
Paramedics arrived and took the man away, still lifeless, according to Middleton. The medical professionals were able to bring him back and told Middleton that he likely wouldn’t have survived without her quick response.
“My family and I owe Sergeant Middleton and Sergeant Leahy a huge thanks and a debt of gratitude,” said Julia Martin, daughter of the patron. “My father suffered a sudden cardiac arrest, and Sergeant Middleton immediately started CPR on him. As a firefighter paramedic, I appreciate the fact that they were not bystanders.”
Beyond this act of heroism, Middleton also recently became the first services Airman to win the Airlift/Tanker Association Young Leadership Award. An award that identifies and recognizes 12 outstanding individuals who have supported the Air Mobility community and will likely become future leaders.
The award is usually only pursued by those in more traditional air support career fields; however, when Middleton read the nomination requirements, she realized that she fits the criteria. As a services Airman, she has supported the mission in ways that may not be considered traditional but were in fact vital to missions.
Some of the many ways Middleton has supported the mission include setting up flight line kitchens and preparing meals for flight line personnel, planning and hosting morale events supporting service members and being involved in the opening of parent/child rooms in support of Airmen and their families.
“There is no mission without support,” said Middleton. “Every career in the Air Force plays a role in completing the mission whether others understand how or not.”
Tech Sgt. Middleton, a 14-year services Airman, hopes her actions will inspire her fellow Airmen to not only excel in their assigned duties but also to be vigilant and ready to respond in times of crisis. Middleton explained that to go above and beyond is one of the cornerstones of being a valuable Airman, bringing it back to the core values of service before self and excellence in all we do.