SSgt. Jonta L. Paten put his rope and high-angle rescue training to work when he aided Prince George Country (Md.) firefighters bring down electrical engineer Josh Vinson from atop a 200-foot water tower on Andrews AFB, Md. Vinson was conducting routine maintenance when officials say his blood sugar level dropped suddenly, putting him in a diabetic shock. Paten, of the 89th Civil Engineer Squadron, climbed the 200-foot tower to set up the descending devices as Prince George’s firemen administered aid. Paten secured the basket as they lowered Vinson to the ground.
While the Space Force is still making long-term plans to establish high-fidelity live and virtual test and training ranges in the coming years, officials say they're also working with operators to identify near-term gaps and quickly field capabilities to address them.
