Altus Airman receives Purple Heart for wounds received during action in Afghanistan

  • Published
  • By 97th Communications Squadron
ALTUS AFB -- --  The morning of Sept. 6, 2006 started off no differently than any other for Senior Airman Brandan Eakins, a 97th Communications Squadron computer systems administrator. After eight months into the year-long deployment serving as a convoy driver for the Army's Bagram reconstruction team in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan, Airman Eakins was a far cry from home station in Altus and far outside his normal duties as a computer systems administrator.
The convoy set out that morning at 5 a.m. with the mission to assess the construction of a new highway, district center and school. The six-truck convoy made the four and one-half hour ride to the site without incident. Members of the Army team assessed the district center, roadway and school construction.
At 1 p.m., the convoy began their long journey home. As the village buildings from the site began to fade away in their rearview mirrors, the distinct crack of gun fire from small arms and AK-47s filled the air. Instinctively, the three months of training with the Army took hold. Without even realizing he had done so, Airman Eakins had drawn his 9 mm pistol and began returning fire out the small window of his Hummer.
A plume of smoke from the Hummer in front of him enveloped his vision. Without hesitating, he maneuvered the vehicle between the attackers and the damaged Hummer.
Recovering, the convoy quickly made their way to a sheltered area leaving the attackers behind. A quick assessment revealed no injuries and minor damage to the left side of all the vehicles, but none preventing movement. With Air Force A-10s and Army Blackhawk helicopters inbound, the order to pull out was given.
The six-truck convoy was no more than one minute homeward when the second attack came. A shower of bullets from both sides hit the vehicles as the convoy quickly moved forward. Airman Eakins' intense focus on the vehicle in front of him was broken as he heard the shout, "RPG!" (rocket propelled grenade). Slamming on the breaks, the vehicle came to a stop. The explosion was deafening. Though dazed from the blast, Airman Eakins continued on and drove the remaining four hours to home base.
It wasn't until their return to camp Airman Eakins realized he could not hear. Two days after the events of Sept. 6, 2006, Airman Eakins regained hearing in his right ear. The left however was damaged and would require surgery. Though surgery has restored partial hearing, 100 percent recovery is unattainable.
The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the U.S. Armed forces whom were wounded by an instrument of war.