The Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) honored Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Wayne Papalski, from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI) Search and Rescue (SAR), at their annual Angels of the Battlefield Gala, Nov. 4.

This ASYMCA event honors the individual men and women on the front lines who are saving lives and have demonstrated extraordinary courage. The Angels Gala is the only event specifically recognizing military medical personnel.

"I was nominated for a few rescues that I did and some of the prior stuff I did right before coming here when I was deployed," said Papalski, a Newark, New Jersey, resident.

Papalski said he appreciates the rare recognition for medical professionals serving on active duty.

"It's an honor," he said. "The frontline, pre-hospital people usually don't get honored, but it's not a job you do looking for recognition."

Papalski credited the Sailors he works with at NASWI for earning this award.

"It's a good recognition for my crew and people who are on the missions, knowing that people actually look out and care about what we do," he added. "I wish all of us could get recognized, but it's a medical award."

The ASYMCA has honored more than 450 medics, corpsmen and para-rescuemen for their exemplary service to date.

SAR operates three MH-60S helicopters from NASWI as search and rescue platforms for the squadrons and personnel assigned to the installation. The base also has an agreement to assist Washington State with medical evacuations and search and rescue activities.

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