On March 3, 2011, an armed robbery attempt was thwarted when a local woman was protected by a U.S. Airman from the U.S. Forward Operating Location (USFOL), as an assailant attempted to rob her. In the parking lot of a busy grocery store, Staff Sergeant Juston Sims, 429th Expeditionary Operations Squadron aircraft mechanic at the USFOL, heard a woman scream and discovered a crime in progress. An armed man was attempting to rob Ms. Jennifer Peterson who had just finished her shopping.
Sergeant Sims intervened by pulling Peterson from the vehicle, out of the reach of the knife-wielding assailant. The suspect then fled the scene. Sergeant Sims made sure the woman was uninjured, the situation was under control and that the police and the woman’s family were notified. He then reported for duty at the USFOL.
Peterson never got the name of her protector before he had to go to work at the USFOL, she correctly guessed by his accent that he was American and contacted the USFOL to find her rescuer. Peterson expressed her gratitude to Airman Sims in a letter, thanking him for his bravery, quick-thinking and compassion. She was invited to the USFOL where she was able to thank Sergeant Sims in person for assisting her in a life threatening situation. "Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will never forget your bravery and your compassion," said Peterson.
The USFOL Commander, Lt. Colonel Brian Bell, commented, "As a member of the local community, this Airman did something that any Airman would do to help someone in his community who was in need of assistance. We are neighbors looking after our neighbors. Sergeant Sims is simply a humble Airman who is glad that he could help. We remain appreciative partners with the Curacao community."