Senior Airman Richard Howell accepts a certificate of appreciation from the Kadena Town chief of police during a formal recognition ceremony at the police station near Kadena Air Base, Nov. 1. The senior airman from the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron helped save the life of a local boy who went unconscious and nearly drowned while snorkeling with his father. The boy and his family also wrote thank you letters to the airman for his heroic efforts.