920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
5/22/2013 - PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Baseball was the furthest thing from Maj. Rod Stout's mind when dodging bullets and flying rescue missions in Afghanistan.
But the familiar sights and sounds of America's pastime filled the air May 16 when Stout was honored by the Brevard County Manatees during a special game-time ceremony.
The Florida minor league baseball team took time out to recognize the 920th Rescue Wing helicopter pilot for earning a Bronze Star and nine Air Medals for heroics.
Although excited to be enjoying America's favorite pastime with his family, Stout was passé about the recognition he'd be receiving.
"I've flown lots of harry missions--saved babies, little kids, guys with gunshot wounds to the head, but I've been doing this for a while," said Stout, an instructor pilot on Air Force Pave Hawk helicopters. He has been on multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan since September 11, 2001.
Stout has been flying with the military for 12 years.
On his last deployment to Afghanistan in 2011, Stout flew roughly 160 missions and is credited with saving 100 lives.
"I counted at least 10 times we could hear bullets going by, or the sound of a gun," said Lt. Col. Rob Haston, Stout's co-pilot during his last deployment.
According to Stout, during one mission a bullet pierced the bottom of their HH-60G Pave Hawk and ricocheted through the cabin missing Stout and Haston, although a pararescueman on board was not so lucky. He was shot through the leg and survived.
Unlike that particular mission, the baseball game this evening ended more favorably. His home team beat the St. Lucie Mets, 3-2.
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