Two Airmen Take on a Life-or-Death Rescue
What started as a relaxing kayak day off for Air Force Staff Sgt. Boston Postgate and Senior Airman Daniel Lowe turned into a heroic life-saving mission. On a cold day in Alaska, the two airmen jumped into action, rowing through freezing waters to save a man from drowning. It was a day they wouldn’t forget, and their bravery earned them well-deserved praise and awards.
A Day Off Turns Into a Life-Saving Mission
Postgate and Lowe, both temporarily stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson for Exercise Red Flag-Alaska 24-2, had a day off and decided to go kayaking. A group message from a friend suggested a trip to Eklutna Lake, a beautiful, glacier-fed lake in Alaska.
Postgate quickly agreed, wanting to explore the area, while Lowe hesitated. He didn’t know how to swim and feared deep water. However, after encouragement from his father, Lowe decided to join.
The Danger of Cold Waters
When they arrived at Eklutna Lake, the staff warned them about the lake’s icy temperature. They were told that hypothermia, a dangerous condition caused by extreme cold, could set in within minutes if anyone fell into the water. The staff also informed them that no rescue boats could be used on the lake, so anyone who fell in would have to rely on their fellow kayakers for help.
Despite the warning, Postgate and Lowe climbed into their tandem kayak and began paddling across the cold waters. They admired the stunning mountains around them but soon faced a far more serious situation.
Man Overboard!
After paddling for about an hour, they heard shouts for help. One of their friends pointed out a man who had fallen into the lake and was clinging to his friend’s kayak. The man was showing clear signs of hypothermia and kept repeating, “I can’t feel my legs.”
Postgate and Lowe immediately turned their kayak around and raced toward the man, determined to help. They offered to bring his kayak and oar back to shore. However, as they began to return, the man accidentally tipped his friend into the water as well.
A Second Rescue
With two people now in the freezing water, Postgate and Lowe knew time was running out. They abandoned the man’s kayak and rushed to help the second person. Along with the help of other kayakers, they managed to rescue both men. The group then paddled to shore as fast as possible, with the cold, exhausted man still repeating, “I can’t feel my legs.” As they rowed, Postgate and Lowe ignored their own pain and fatigue, driven by the urgency of saving the man’s life.
Reaching the Shore and Warming Up
When they finally reached land, Postgate and Lowe helped the man out of the kayak. Both airmen were exhausted, and Postgate’s hands were frozen stiff from holding the oars for so long. Despite their fatigue, they knew they had to help the man warm up before it was too late.
They followed the safety briefing instructions, helping the man do small exercises to get his body temperature back up. Once he was able to stand on his own, they guided him to a fire started by the rental shop employees. The staff later told Postgate and Lowe that their actions likely saved the man’s life.
Recognised for Their Bravery
Postgate and Lowe didn’t think twice about jumping into action that day. “We couldn’t just keep kayaking and pass by, knowing someone was in danger,” said Lowe.
Both airmen were later recognised for their bravery and awarded the Air & Space Force Commendation Medal. For Postgate, the rescue came just before a family gathering celebrating his grandfather’s 90th birthday. His grandfather, a Vietnam veteran, proudly hailed him as a hero. Lowe, meanwhile, kept his promise to his father, sharing not just photos of Alaska but the story of how he and Postgate saved a life.
In the Right Place at the Right Time
Reflecting on the day, Postgate said, “If we hadn’t decided to go on that kayaking trip, things might have ended differently. It was like the stars aligned.” What started as a simple kayaking trip became a heroic rescue, proving that sometimes. The U.S airforce staff being in the right place at the right time can make all the difference.
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