Staff Sgt. Daniel Warren Lives Pararescueman’s Creed By Caitlin Penndorf


thE tEmPErAturE is a bitter, bone- chilling four degrees below zero. Winds whip wildly between tall mountains of white. Suddenly, snow begins to crash down into the mountain range, encasing the winding roads below. The force effortlessly tosses cars into the valley as the heaps of heavy, icy precipitation begin to cover them. Hundreds become barricaded in their vehicles, in need of rescue. This was Feb. 8, 2010, for Staff Sgt. Daniel Warren ’06. Warren, an Air Force Reserve parares-


cueman (PJ) from the 920th Rescue Wing, had been deployed to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan in 2010, and was serving as a Guardian Angel team member of the 33rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron. it was during this time that he was called to action after a natural disaster threatened the lives of hundreds. Several cataclysmic avalanches had poured down the mountains onto the


TRIANGLE 1 Vol . 83, No. 2


Salang Pass, a heavily traveled dirt roadway between northern Afghanistan and the Kabul province. As a pararescueman, Warren found it was his duty to be a living represen- tation of the PJ creed, “The things we do…that others may live.” More avalanches and insurgent activity


were serious possibilities for Warren and his team as they arrived and exited the CH-47 helicopter. With the possible dangers looming, it was apparent they’d have to work fast and efficiently. Warren spent five hours moving from vehicle to vehicle, rescuing individuals and helping them get to the medical attention they needed. He fought through extreme wind, below freezing temperatures, and poor oxygen supply as he continued to assist victims. As people were rescued, they were put on


helicopters and flown to safety and medical care. However, some were in need of more prompt aid. on one of the rescue flights,


Warren was presented with an unconscious victim, on whom he performed cardiopul- monary resuscitation (CPR) for 30 minutes, until they could get the individual to an advanced medical treatment facility. Warren and his team saved 15 lives and


rescued 49 more as a result of their efforts on Salang Pass. overall, nearly 300 victims were assisted by United States military personnel during this disaster. As a direct result of this rescue mission and his heroic actions, Warren was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal with Valor. Warren, originally from Springfield, Mass.,


currently resides in indialantic, Fla., and is stationed at Patrick Air Force Base in Cocoa Beach, Fla. He is married to Lt. Sara Pickens, whom he met while they were both deployed to rescue efforts in New orleans, La., after Hurricane Katrina.1


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