Staff Sgt. Judi Reeves, a surgical tech from the 344th Combat Support Hospital, carefully folds cloth over a vascular surgical tray of medical instruments, before placing it into a sterilizing machine at the Salerno Hospital.
Once patients arrive, the hospital is equipped to provide the best care available. The facility has its own labs, CT scan equipment, radiology section, operating room, pharmacy and more. “This hospital is completely on par with hospitals in the U.S.,” said Lt. Col. Paul Schenarts, a trauma surgeon, and dep. cmdr of clinical services. “We don’t lack anything. We're able to get diagnostic results back very quickly, usually within a matter of minutes. That doesn’t happen in the states.”
In addition to the latest equipment and technology, the hospital also has some of the most highly-trained staff available. “Our staff is very professional and very compassionate,” said Kolb. “In a trauma hospital it all boils down to the quality of the surgeons, and, without a doubt, I have the best surgeons out there.”
One of those surgeons is Schenarts, a reservist, who brings a wealth of knowledge and medical expertise with him. He's a professor of surgery and critical care, as well as the asst dean for clinical academic affairs at East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C.
“To work here, you need your funny bone, your back bone and your brain bone,” he said. “I feel like it’s not only my duty, but an honor for me to be able to do this. Being able to provide critical care to Soldiers is really wonderful.”
Although their main focus is saving Soldiers’ lives, the hospital also treats contractors, CF, detainees, ANSF, and local nationals on a case-by-case basis.
Recently, they treated several civilians who had been the target of an insurgent ambush and massacre that claimed 12 lives. One of the survivors was very happy to be treated by the hospital staff.
“I thank the ISAF forces so much,” said Gula Gha, a 28-year-old Pakistan native from Parachinar District. “If it was not for their help, I would have died. I had lost a lot of blood, but the American doctors saved my life. I will never forget them.”
Sgt. Jeffrey Harvin, a surgical tech, places surgical instruments into a tray during a trauma surgery.
BAGRAM AIRFIELD – Jonathan Hoffman, the director of the non-profit company Direct Aid International, talks to New Zealand Army Maj. Fiu, the Kiwi Bamyan PRT liasion officer for TF Wolverine, June 25. Hoffman, a culinary arts teacher in Northfield, Vt., is assisting local villagers in building a school in Bamyan. Hoffman is visiting the Vermont-based 86th IBCT (Mtn), because of his connection to Vermont NG. In his 9th summer building schools in Afghanistan, Hoffman is building the school in Bamyan in memory of Master Sgt. Tom Stone, a Vermont NG, who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2006.
Army Sgt. Charles Espie, a public affairs ops sgt, poses with Jonathan Hoffman, June 25. Espie, a Massachusetts-licensed history teacher, talked with Hoffman, about the school Hoffman is building for impoverished residents in Bamyan Prov.
In 2008, when the Dashtak Demo Farm was founded, this area in the Panjshir Prov. was a barren hillside. Now local Afghans are producing seasonal harvests. The Farm is currently producing corn, horseradish, eggplant, soy beans and alfalfa, which are used to feed the workers, along with needy families and livestock.
Army Spc. Chaz Shepard, a gunner for Troop A, 1st Sqdrn, 172nd Cav Regt, 86th IBCT (Mtn) stands near a vehicle at Bagram Airfield, July 13. Shepard, a was part of the assault plt that captured a suspected insurgent, in a small mountain cave, June 30.
The assault plt pursued the target for approx 2-1/2 kms into the mountains. At about 7400', 2 Soldiers, Sgt. 1st Class Todd Gagnon, and Spc. Chaz S. Shepard, spotted the target in a small cave where he was apprehended.
Gagnon, who was an instructor at the Army Mountain Warfare School at the Ethan Allen Firing Range in Jericho, Vt., led the pursuit of the insurgent into the mountains. “It was physically difficult tracking him up the mountains, because of the incline and loose soil, but my adrenaline was pumping so we just kept going,” said Shepard, who is a gunner for Troop A. “I followed Sgt Gagnon, who made it look easy to get up the mountain.” Once they found the insurgent in the cave, he was cooperative with Afghan and CF as they took him into custody.-30-
Soldiers from the 11th Quartermaster Co, from Fort Bragg, N.C., packed the supplies and equipped them with parachutes. Coordination between the 82nd STB at FOB Gamberi and the parachute riggers of the 11th QM Co. started weeks before the actual drop occurred. Flight ops at Bagram Airfield scheduled the drop.
“The ANA did really well recovering the air drop,” said Army Cpl. Douglas Roberts, a plt NCO with HHC, 82nd Main Support Bn. “After helping them recover a couple parachutes and pallets, we let them take over, and they were very fast and efficient. They did a great job.” “This was great training and we got a lot of experience by working with our U.S. Army counterparts,” said ANA Sgt. Shahir, a logistics NCO. The air drop consisted of wood to build new buildings, barriers for base security, water and Halal meals, the ANA’s version of Meals Ready to Eat. "The building supplies will be put to good use, as FOB Gamberi is expanding, and is going to be the future home of the 201st Flood Corps HQ and the regional military training center for RC-East," said Army Maj. Gary Brock, XO for the 82nd STB.
Spc. James Munns, 11th QM Co air drop specialist, prepares a resupply pallet.
Cpl. Douglas Roberts, a plt NCO with HHC, explains the process of recovering an air drop to ANA soldiers.
ANA soldiers roll outside the gate of FOB Gamberi to recover resupply pallets.
U.S. and ANA Soldiers work together to fold a parachute that was used during a resupply air drop.
ANA soldiers work together to attach a resupply pallet to a forklift.
He explained the importance of understanding the motivations and behaviors of crowds, so situations don’t spiral out of control. Most gatherings are peaceful, but in the instance that one does turn negative, Foreman taught how to appropriately respond with the least amount of force.
While emphasizing the calm monitoring of a crowd, Foreman next covered various methods of dealing with a crowd that becomes violent or destructive. “They didn’t know about the formations, what it was, what the gear was, and how it was used. After the training they were able to get hands-on and actually be put in the formations,” continued Foreman.The more they train and prepare for these situations, the better they'll be able to defuse them in a peaceful manner, Foreman concluded.
An IA Soldier fires his new rifle during a train-the-trainer M-16 range event for IA instructors, held in June at Camp Ur. The course was a 6-day block of instruction from U.S. Soldiers on marksmanship, technical details and range procedures. (Army photo by 1st Lt. Josh Woodke)
“Since 3rd Bde, 4th ID is an advise and assist bde, we're trying to separate ourselves from training the Iraqis, to making the Iraqis use their own systems, and to develop continuity within their org.,” said 1st Lt. Mario Ponsell, HQ plt leader and 40th IA advisor, serving with the 1st Bn., 68th AR Reg.
After the initial training, the most advanced IA Soldiers were selected to go through the instructor course.
According to Spc. Mark Sepulveda, a team leader, the Iraqi Soldiers picked up on the new weapons techniques and range procedures very quickly. “The IA Soldiers were completely running the range by the second range day,” he said. “We were acting only as safeties on the range.”
“The IA’s willingness to learn and take charge of the training is a great credit on how far they have developed over the years,” said Sgt. 1st Class Chad Buggey.
Children watch as U.S. and Iraqi leaders walk through the village of Al-Mujaded, Diyala prov., July 7, 2010. The leaders were there as part of the Diyala Initiative, a joint Iraqi govt and U.S. PRT program helping citizens return to their homes who were displaced by terrorist activity.
