By Dani Johnson
Garrison Public Affairs Office
A Fort Carson Soldier was recognized March 16, 2017, during the annual Colorado Springs Hometown Heroes Dinner at the Broadmoor Hotel.
1st Sgt. Lance Anderson, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, was awarded with the American Red Cross of Southeastern Colorado Military Hero Award during the dinner that recognizes local heroes in nine categories.
According to the award nomination, while deployed to Camp Dwyer, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Anderson responded to an aircraft crash on the flight line May 18, 206.
“I was in the right place at the right time,” said Anderson. “I was heading to billeting when I saw the smoke and immediately headed (to the flight line) to see if I could help.”
According to media reports, the aircraft, which crashed on takeoff, was an Azerbaijani civilian cargo plane contracted by NATO to bring in supplies. There were nine crewmembers on the aircraft and two survived the crash.
Upon arriving at the crash site, Anderson took control and directed Soldiers arriving to assist.
“The aircraft was already engulfed in flames when I arrived,” said Anderson. “We couldn’t get within 100 meters of it.”
One crew member was ejected from the aircraft and sustained multiple severe arm and leg fractures. While the casualty was being loaded onto a truck, another casualty, who was able to escape from the wreckage and had substantial facial and head lacerations, was also loaded onto the truck. Anderson took the casualties to the battalion aid station after directing Soldiers to secure the accident site.
At the aid station, Anderson ensured the casualties were transferred to the medics and prepared for medical evacuation.
“My training kicked in. I was first concerned with how many (crew members) were alive and what I could do to help,” he said.
Anderson said being nominated for the Red Cross award is humbling because he doesn’t feel like he did anything that anyone else would have done.
“I don’t feel like a hero,” he said. “Any Soldier would have reacted the same to the situation — to save lives.”
According to the nominating officer, 2nd Lt. Rebecca Saldecke, now medical operations officer, 704th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd IBCT, 4th Inf. Div., it may seem Anderson’s actions were semi-crazy (running towards danger).
“How he acted is very common for his character,” she said. “He is always looking to help. His (Anderson) actions directly reflect what I consider a hero.”