Sergeant Tony C., a radar operator in the U.S. Army, was deployed to the Gaza Pier in Spring 2024. When the sea state reached a dangerous threshold, evacuation protocols were supposed to be initiated. However, he and his unit remained stranded for over two days due to the heightened sea conditions, with limited supplies and insufficient medical care.

During Sergeant Tony’s patrol during those days, he walked on uneven ground on the pier and took a bad step through a section of the pier that was breaking away and injured his back. Sergeant Tony was medically evacuated to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, where he stayed for 1 week. He was then medically evacuated to Fort Carson in CO. 

Luke’s Wings was able to fly his wife to visit him during this tough time and help bring him comfort during his recovery. Tony has since been reunited with his family and is recovering well from the physical and mental injuries he sustained during his deployment.