Sgt. Abraham Boxx, a critical care flight paramedic with the 1st Battalion, 168th General Support Aviation Battalion, Washington Army National Guard, rides in a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during a medical evacuation drill at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, on Jan. 2, 2021. Boxx moved to the U.S. from Australia to become certified as a flight paramedic in 2016 and later joined the Washington Army National Guard. (Photo by Sgt. Jonathan Perdelwitz)
Aussie Native is Washington Army National Guard Flight Paramedic
CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – The sound of Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter rotors thrummed overhead as strong winds rocked the aircraft. On the ground, SGT Abraham Boxx, a critical care flight paramedic, with the 1st Battalion, 168th General Support Aviation Battalion, Washington Army National Guard, prepared Soldiers for evacuation during dynamic hoist training at Camp Bondsteel on Jan. 2, 2021. Over the noise, SGT Boxx remained calm and gave clear instructions to the simulated evacuees. Moments later, the crew chief started an electric winch on the aircraft, lifting the Soldiers into the air.
SGT Boxx is deployed with Regional Command-East, Kosovo Force 28, in support of Operation Joint Guardian. KFOR is a NATO-led, multinational organization charged with maintaining peace and stability in Kosovo. SGT Boxx says treating patients in the air is the pinnacle achievement of his emergency medical services career.
But the road leading him to a career in the skies began long before he joined the Army National Guard. When SGT Boxx was a child growing up in Mudgee, New South Wales, Australia, his family suffered a medical emergency. The medical personnel who responded made a lasting impression on him.
“I remember seeing their professionalism, the calmness they brought, and their demeanor,” says SGT Boxx. “That’s what I wanted to do. I wanted to pay it forward.”
Jesse Boxx, his father, served with the 213th Assault Support Helicopter Company, U.S. Army, during the Vietnam War. After his father’s service in Vietnam, SGT Boxx’s mother was offered a job in Australia. Seeing an opportunity for adventure, his family moved in 1977 to New South Wales, where Abraham Boxx was born.
SGT Boxx grew up hearing his father's stories and carried on his legacy of service when he joined the Australian Army in 2007. During his 14 years in EMS, SGT Boxx has accomplished much, but his focus has remained the same. Whether driving an ambulance or performing critical care tasks during a medical evacuation, he's dedicated to helping those in need.
“Whenever you see the military anywhere, a lot of people focus on the negativity or fighting,” says SGT Boxx. “For me, it was always about helping people and having a skill and a trade that went beyond firing a weapon system.”
SGT Boxx's time in the Australian Army included deployments as a combat medic to Malaysia, Singapore, and Pakistan. But he says one mission to the Solomon Islands attached to an Infantry Unit was an eye-opener – finding a war criminal in the area. They gained support from the local population by offering to assist a clinic.
The Soldiers rebuilt the facility's roof and installed a water tank to help the village gain access to clean water. Meanwhile, Boxx ran the clinic with help from combat first aid Soldiers and a local nurse, treating wounds ranging from gunshots to severe burns.
“It was an amazing opportunity, not only for me but for some of the enlisted combat first aiders to really utilize their medical skills,” says SGT Boxx.
After serving his time in the Australian Army and building up experience in ambulatory medical services, SGT Boxx moved to the U.S. in 2016 and got certified as a flight paramedic. Just a year later, he donned a different uniform and joined the U.S. Army National Guard. He moved to Washington State, where he joined the 1-168th GSAB as a critical care flight paramedic. He also continued to work as a civilian paramedic for Life Flight Network.
“SGT Boxx is perhaps the most qualified medic I’ve ever seen,” says SGT 1st Class Jonathan Wentlandt, acting first Sergeant of the 1-168th GSAB. “He’s an awesome role model to other medics. He’s got a great demeanor. He’s a great teacher.”
The Unit’s mission during KFOR 28 is to provide interfacility transport of wounded or ill Soldiers serving under NATO. Since less than 3 percent of their Unit has deployed, says Wentlandt, SGT Boxx’s vast military and civilian EMS experience has proven valuable in Kosovo. While very few incidents occur that warrant emergency flight evacuations, SGT Boxx is grateful for the opportunity to lend a helping hand when needed.
“The relief on people’s faces when we land, when they know higher-level care has gotten there, or somebody is there to help them, gets me every time,” SGT Boxx says. “I never grow tired of that feeling.”
The Army National Guard gives you the opportunity to pursue a civilian career while serving part-time in your home State, so your family is always close by. With positions in more than 130 career fields including admin and relations, intelligence, and aviation, you can find your perfect fit. Check out the job board for more information on available careers, and contact a local recruiter to learn more.
From an original article by Jonathan Perdelwitz, 135th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, which appeared in the news section of nationalguard.mil on Jan. 8, 2021.
