Holloman welcomes true American heroes

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Heather Stanton
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Two American heroes visited Holloman Air Force Base Oct. 19 to tell more than 200 Airmen their stories of combat down range in support of the war on terror. 

Every month, Holloman leadership hosts American heroes for a Warrior Call, where they tell their stories and revive warrior ethos in Airmen. 

"It is a chance to recognize and learn from our generation of heroes," said Col. Michael McGee, 49th Fighter Wing vice commander. 

Tech. Sgt. William Wilson and Army Staff Sgt. Timothy Nein were this month's honorees.
Sergeant Wilson is a sensor operator on the AC-130U gunship out of the 4th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlbert Field AFB, Fla. 

"It's the enlisted guys pulling the trigger and killing the bad guys," he said. 

Sergeant Nein is a military police with the 223rd Military Police Company of the Louisville, Ky., Army National Guard. 

He is noted for earning the Distinguished Service Cross for his extraordinary heroism in March 2005 when he and his and his team mates killed more than 25 insurgents during a combat mission in Iraq, said Colonel McGee. 

"There was up to 150 enemy forces," said Sergeant Nein. "Their fire was coming onto our Humvees like pouring rain." 

The fire fight lasted about 45 minutes with no U.S. military personnel killed, he said. 

"Through doctrine, leadership and equipment we succeeded in an environment where we should have failed," said Sergeant Nein. 

The Airmen who listened to the heroes' stories took note of the message from the experiences. 

"It was truly an honor to hear their stories," said Tech. Sgt. Bryan Sullins, 49th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. "I took a lot from it." 

"It doesn't matter what job you do, or who you do it for," advises Sergeant Wilson. "Eventually there will come a crossroad and something you're going to do will be great or outstanding. Whether you're a vehicle operator, you fly planes or work in CSS, you're going to have an effect on more than just one life."