VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Adriana Quintero, 30th Force Support Squadron lodging housekeeper, is reunited with lodging guest Alyssa Paschall and her daughter Peyton, during a ceremony honoring Quintero here Tuesday, Jun. 18. Quintero helped Paschall rescue her daughter from choking on an object after she stopped breathing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Michael Peterson)
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Adriana Quintero, 30th Force Support Squadron lodging housekeeper, reunites with Peyton Paschall, the baby she helped rescue from choking, during an award presentation ceremony here Tuesday, Jun. 18. Quintero was honored for her heroic response and for going above and beyond the call of duty in her support of Vandenberg lodging guests. (U.S. Air Force photo/Michael Peterson)
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Daniel Becker, 30th Force Support Squadron lodging manager, presents Adriana Quintero, 30 FSS lodging housekeeper, with an on-the-spot cash award during a ceremony here Tuesday, Jun. 18. Quintero was honored for her heroic response in helping rescue a baby that choked on an object and stopped breathing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Michael Peterson)
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Lt. Col. Gregory Marty, 30th Force Support Squadron commander, congratulates Adriana Quintero, 30 FSS lodging housekeeper, and awards her with a commander's coin during an award presentation ceremony here Tuesday, Jun. 18. Quintero was honored for her heroic response in helping rescue a baby that choked on an object and stopped breathing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Michael Peterson)
by Airman Veronique Henry
30th Space Wing Public Affairs
6/21/2013 - VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A 30th Force Support Squadron staff member received special recognition for an "anything but normal" random act, during a recent staff meeting.
Earlier in the month, a panicked new mother Alyssa Paschall, went into the hallway of a Vandenberg billet in search of help for her choking infant. Paschall found Adriana Quintero, 30th Force Support Squadron lodging housekeeper, who then took the child, turned her over, and patted her back. The infant coughed, allowing Paschall to reach into her infant's mouth and remove a hairpin.
"Every once in a while, somebody goes above and beyond to the point where it just has to get some special recognition," said Daniel Becker, 30th FSS lodging manager, before calling attention to Quintero to recognize her for saving an infant's life.
"I feel super happy to see the baby healthy and the mom really happy," said Quintero. "That moment that the hairclip was out, I felt relieved."
Paschall thanked Quintero again at the meeting and the two exchanged tears, laughter and hugs.
"It was really such a relief to find somebody, having this be the first scary encounter as a parent," said Paschall.
Quintero's leadership was also impressed with her actions.
"I was immediately so proud of her and what she had done," said Becker. "To be able to think that quickly and to do what's necessary to save a life, that's impressive."
Quintero received an on-the-spot cash award and a certificate in recognition of her heroic deed.
Calvin Tucker, Sustainment Services flight chief and Lt. Col. Gregory Marty, 30th FSS commander, attended the staff meeting to thank Quintero and give her a 30th FSS commander's coin.
