ALCOAST 218/26 - JUL 2026 ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE 2026 ARMED SERVICES YMCA ANGELS OF THE BATTLEFIELD AWARD RECIPIENT

R 131739Z JUL 26  MID120041380866U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 218/26
SSIC 6010
SUBJ: ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE 2026 ARMED SERVICES YMCA ANGELS OF THE
BATTLEFIELD AWARD RECIPIENT
1. I am pleased to announce that Aviation Survival Technician
(AST) Second Class Scott Ruskan, assigned to Coast Guard Air
Station Corpus Christi, has been selected as the Coast Guard
recipient for the 20th annual Armed Services YMCA Angels of the
Battlefield (AOTB) Award.
2. The AOTB Award is an annual award that recognizes one enlisted
medical professional from each branch of the Armed Forces.
    a. This year's AOTB Award recognizes AST2 Ruskan's courageous
actions, superior leadership and heroic life-saving medical
interventions during a deadly, catastrophic flash flood in
Central Texas.
    b. The Guadalupe River rose 26 feet in 45 minutes,
inundating a campground and stranding over 700 adolescent campers
and staff. Identifying a large group of survivors isolated from
rescue by the flooded river from the air, AST2 Ruskan made the
immediate, selfless decision to deploy into one of the most
challenging environments imaginable. He remained on-scene, putting
his own safety at great risk to establish a critical foothold in a
widespread disaster zone.
    c. AST2 Ruskan conducted rapid primary assessments, evaluated
physical traumas and assessed injuries to establish an immediate
mass-casualty triage process and prioritized
extractions. AST2 Ruskan personally led each group of survivors
through the hazardous floodwaters and debris, in many instances
physically carrying children to the waiting aircraft.
    d. AST2 Ruskan's actions were extraordinarily heroic, brought
great credit upon the Coast Guard, and highly merit the 2026 Armed
Services YMCA Angel of the Battlefield Award.
3. All nominees for this award were worthy of this recognition and
will be nominated for the DHS Lifesaving Award sponsored by the DHS
Chief Medical Officer and the Association of Military Surgeons of
the United States (AMSUS) Lewis L. Seaman Enlisted Award for
Outstanding Operational Support.
4. I congratulate all nominees for their accomplishments and
their Commanding Officers and supervisors for taking the time to
submit well-deserved nominations. I encourage all leaders to
recognize their high performing enlisted medical professionals by
nominating them next year for the 2027 AOTB Award. This year's
awardees demonstrated outstanding professionalism in carrying out
their duties. Bravo Zulu for a job very well done.
5. POC: Mr. Luis Muniz (CG-CMO-2), Email: Luis.A.Muniz2@uscg.mil
6. RADM Charles E. Fosse, Deputy Commandant for Personnel
(CG-DCP), sends.
7. Internet release is authorized.