“It is my duty, as a member of the Air Rescue Service, to save life and to aid the injured. I will be prepared at all times to perform my assigned duties quickly and efficiently, placing these duties before personal desires and comforts. These things I do that others may live.”

Pararescueman Killed in Action

On 17 February 2007, Technical Sergeant Scott E. Duffman, 32, of Albuquerque, N.M. was killed in action in Afghanistan. He was on an MH-47 with twenty-one other personnel when it crashed. At the time of the crash, they were providing CSAR coverage to several ongoing operations. The cause of the crash was a catastrophic engine failure. Eight personnel were killed in the crash. Two other PJs and one CCT were seriously injured. Scott was born on August 14, 1974, in the Philippines, and was raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on August 26, 1992, and completed basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas, in October 1992. After completing Air Force Pararescueman training and Special Tactics team training, SrA Duffman served as a Pararescueman with the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Florida, from October 1994 to January 1997. His next assignment was as a Pararescueman with the 56th Rescue Squadron at Keflavik Naval Air Station, Iceland, from January 1997 to January 1998, and then back with the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron at Hurlburt Field from January 1998 to January 2001. SSgt Duffman served as a Special Tactics Team Member, Pararescueman, and Special Tactics Instructor with the 24th Special Tactics Squadron at Pope AFB, North Carolina, from January 2001 until he was killed in the MH-47 Chinook.
The Bronze Star Medal is the fourth-highest ranking award a service member can receive for a heroic and meritorious deed performed in an armed conflict. Bronze Stars with a V-device are awarded for those who performed well under fire at great personal risk.
Staff Sergeant Scott E. Duffman distinguished himself by heroism as Combat Search and Rescue Team Member, Task Force Eleven, Joint Special Operations Command while engaged in ground operations against the enemy at a classified location from 10 February 2002 to 17 April 2002. During this period, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Sergeant Duffman demonstrated unparalleled professional skill, judgment and operational foresight during numerous special operations. Sergeant Duffman performed heroically, calmly and professionally during Combat Search and Rescue Operations while under fire from the enemy. Sergeant Duffman's team conducted a daring rescue of fellow teammates who had sustained numerous casualties and after helicopters crashed while battling enemy forces for hours on a mountaintop. His bravery and immediate medical attention were essential to the recovery and safe evacuation of his wounded teammates. Sergeant Duffman's team was exposed numerous times to intermittent enemy fire and the threat of enemy reinforcement at any moment. His heroic actions resulted in the recovery of multiple critically injured litter patients, one minimally injured patient, and several additional personnel. On board the helicopter, Sergeant Duffman's exemplary medical knowledge was instrumental in stabilizing the injured patients and then transferring the patients at a remote landing site. Sergeant Duffman's actions during this trying time deterred terrorist actions against United States forces and demonstrated America's resolve to recover friendly forces regardless of enemy strength. Sergeant Duffman's professionalism and heroism are an example for others to follow. By his heroic actions and unselfish dedication to duty, Sergeant Huffman has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
TSgt Duffman was assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Pope AFB, NC when he was deployed to Afghanistan. He is survived by his wife Mary, daughter Sofia, and his mother Rose. A memorial ceremony was held on 22 February 2007 at the Joint Special Operations Command compound. Scott was buried on March 2, 2007 at Arlington National Cemetery.
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