By Vicky Falcón
NAVAIR Public Affairs Office

One year ago, on June 17, 2005, GYSGT Forrest Sibley, Fleet Liaison for the Aircrew Systems Program Office (PMA-202) had an opportunity to show his professionalism, his calm and his steadfast action in adverse conditions. Those actions led to him receiving a Navy Achievement Medal – an award for Navy and Marine Corps junior officers and enlisted personnel who distinguish themselves by outstanding professional achievement or for leadership.

The adverse conditions were on a roadway in Iraq between Al Asad and Al Ramadi where a convoy escort had hit a mine and caught fire. A Marine, a sailor and a third country national (TCN) were severely burned with multiple open wounds and needed an immediate casualty evacuation.

Sibley, who was an aerial observer for Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron 269, Marine Aircraft Group 26, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), guided his aircraft (UH-1N “Huey”) to a landing at night in brownout conditions in the vicinity of the vehicle. Brownout occurs when the dust from the ground gets blown up and around the helicopter due to its rotor downwash inducing a low and sometimes no visibility condition.

Sibley then exited the UH-1N into a possible mine-laden area to assist with the recovery of the wounded. Once the wounded were stabilized, Sibley loaded them into the aircraft and performed first aid enroute to the hospital by applying direct pressure to one of the wounded, while holding another.

“His calm and steadfast demeanor enabled the rapid recovery of the wounded and contributed directly to saving the lives of a fellow Marine, sailor and TCN,” said LtCol Joseph M. Jeffrey, Commanding Officer, HML/A-269, during a citation ceremony.

“Gunnery Sergeant Sibley’s devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service,” Jeffrey said.

Sibley, who grew up in Walker, La. (near Baton Rouge) enlisted in the Marine Corps while in high school in 1989. A self-proclaimed “country boy,” Sibley wanted to see the world.

“My dad was in the Army and my great-uncles served in WWII and Korea with the Navy and Army,” said Sibley. “But I was the first in my family to join the Marines.”

The knowledge and experience he gained during two separate tours in Iraq bring a unique point of view to the Aircrew Systems team where he works with both the Fleet Support team lead and the class desk to facilitate flight clearances and resolve discrepancies and documentation issues.

“Gunnery Sergeant Sibley is our sanity check,” said Capt. Tom Glass, Program Manager for PMA-202. “He keeps us Warfighter focused with a Fleet perspective so we don’t forget why we’re here.”

“It’s hard for us Fleet guys to relate to what’s going on behind the scenes (here at NAVAIR),” said Sibley. “I can now really understand why it takes so long to get a product out to the Fleet. The task saturation here for civilians is phenomenal.”

Sibley hopes to take his new understanding of the acquisition process with him when he returns to the Fleet – but for now he is their eyes and ears within the Aircrew Systems Program Office, where the survival and endurance of the aircrew are the main concern.

Sibley, who is husband to Maria (Cummings) Sibley of Zachary, La., and father of three girls (ages 15, 11 and 4) has received several other medals for his service, including a Navy Commendation Medal - awarded to service members who, while serving in any capacity with the Navy or Marine Corps, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement or meritorious service. Sibley has also received an Air Medal, 2nd Strike/Flight. The Air Medal is awarded for distinguished meritorious achievement while in flight. The distinguishing feature of a Strike denotation means those sorties which deliver ordnance against the enemy, land or evacute personnel in assault or engage in search and rescue (SAR) operations which encounter enemy opposition.

Photo Caption: GYSGT Forrest Sibley closes an engine bay door on a UH-1N (Huey) helicopter at HX-21 at NAS Patuxent River, Md. Sibley, who recently returned from serving in Iraq, was awarded several medals for his service there.