Luke Airmen defend Bagram against attack Published July 1, 2010 By Airman 1st Class Melanie Holochwost 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- On May 19, at Bagram Air Base Afghanistan two 56th Security Forces Squadron Airmen, engaged in a fire fight with multiple insurgents when they tried to breach the perimeter of the base. Senior Airman Keegan Donnelly and Airman 1st Class Dustin Barnes were only two months into their first deployment when the attack occurred. When the attack began, Airman Donnelly and an Afghan security partner were posted in a tower and guarding the base while Airman Barnes was off-duty in his dorm room. "Everything started when a call came in saying that insurgents were trying to get over the fence," Airman Donnelly said. "I looked through my thermals (imager) and saw multiple individuals crouched down behind the barriers. During the attack I felt protective of the base and everyone on it. I heard the fear in the Airman's voice over the radio because he was receiving fire, but could not return it." Airman Donnelly said it was dark and hard to see the enemy so he used a thermal imager to scan the perimeter. "As soon as I identified the enemy and called it in, I was fired upon with multiple bullets and tracers (rounds)," he said. "I dropped to a knee and returned fire killing at least one of the attackers." In the dormitory area, Airman Barnes was awakened by the noise of gunfire, quickly put on his uniform, grabbed his gear and sprinted out to help. "I sprinted about 200 meters in full battle rattle toward the threat," Airman Barnes said. "I positioned myself behind jersey barriers and identified two insurgents. I engaged in fire with both insurgents and was credited with both kills." According to Senior Master Sgt. Killjan Anderson, 56th SFS superintendent, both Airmen overcame obstacles to protect the base. "Airman Donnelly overcame equipment failure with his radio and thermal imagers as well as sustaining a temporary hearing loss due to the firefight," Sergeant Killjan said. "But, he was still able to carefully employ his rifle and highly-lethal grenade rounds in a confined area without causing any friendly fire incidents to responding forces." In total, 16 enemy combatants were killed while only two security forces members received minimal injuries during this incident, Sergeant Anderson said. The attack on Bagram AB was the first complex attack on record against a U.S. held airfield since Vietnam.