FOB FENTY - The fair-skinned blonde medic cradled the Afghan boy in her arms, as she entered the coffee shop here. A soldier and another young woman followed them inside. The boy’s legs were wrapped in blankets, and people inside the shop turned their heads to gaze at the boy as the group came in.
The medic gently placed the boy in a chair on his blanket. One of his legs slipped out of the blanket, revealing shrivelled, brownish-red skin, the result of a very bad burn. She sat down in the chair beside the boy, adjusting the blanket. The Soldier behind her approached the boy. “Ok, Abas,” he said, bending over to look at his face. “I’ll be right back.”A few minutes later, the Soldier, Army Sgt. Edward Gonzales, HHC, 1st BCT, reappeared with a freshly-made raspberry smoothie. He extended his arm, handing the drink to the boy, who reluctantly took it.“Go ahead, take a sip,” Gonzales, a linguist, told the boy in Pashto, the local Afghan language. The boy crinkled his face in disgust and folded his arms defiantly, unwilling to try the strange-looking drink. Gonzales tried again. He took the straw out and put a drop of the fruity mixture on the boy’s fingers, then lifted the boy’s fingers to his lips. The boy licked off the drop of raspberry smoothie and paused for a second. Soon, a huge, beaming smile filled his face. “He likes it,” the blue-eyed medic said and smiled, as other people in the coffee shop shared a laugh watching the boy.Abas suffered 3rd-degree burns on both legs when he fell into a pit of hot coals that had been used to melt syrup to cook an Afghan treat. One of several Co. C medics who have been taking care of Abas is Army Pfc. Deana Hilburn, the blonde medic. She can often be seen carrying Abas, who is unable to walk, or on occasion, pushing him in his wheelchair into shops and places around the FOB.“He knows all of our first names, and he just yells for one of us,” Hilburn said. Abas is not shy and talks with all the people he meets, especially the medics who care for him. “They're taking care of me,” Abas said. “They bring me food; I like that. I like (Hilburn) because she takes me places outside.”"One of Abas’ favorite things to do on the FOB is to watch the helicopters and planes take off and land," Hilburn said. She said that Abas brings laughter to the aid station. “He’s a big goofball; he’s always doing something,” Hilburn said, before catching Abas puckering his lips at her out of the corner of her eye. “He does that; he makes fishy faces at us.”She made the face back at the boy and they shared a smile. “Who is this?” Hilburn said, pointing to a picture of a neatly-colored cartoon rabbit hanging on the wall beside Abas’ bed.The boy smiled and pointed back at her. “Me?” she said. “I’m the bunny? Usually you make me the pig!”Hilburn said that it's the affectionate games he plays with the medics that have endeared him to her, and made treating him fun, rather than work. “He always makes us smile and laugh,” she said. “I would take him home with me if I could.” Army Maj. (Dr.) Patrick Smock, an orthopedic surgeon has been Abas’ physician since August. He explained that Abas has become a permanent patient at the aid station, because, after receiving treatment for his burns, Abas returned home and the burns became badly infected. This happened several times, before the decision was made 2 months ago to keep him at the aid station. “His home environment just isn’t quite hygienic enough for him to stay there without his wounds getting infected,” Smock said. “Nutrition is also a factor.” Smock said, "Abas’ family is in agreement with the decision, because they feel the aid station can provide the best care for him. Abas’ family frequently visits him at the station, and he'll often spend overnight visits at home." “He had a rough time at the beginning,” Smock said. “When family would leave, he'd get upset that they had to go at the end of the day, but he’s been doing fantastic now.”Abas can't walk because as his wounds have healed, they've constricted, making straightening his legs impossible. Since he's been under the care of the FST, Smock said that Abas has undergone a series of skin graft surgeries to try to help replenish the skin on his legs. Smock said that he'll also require surgery to correct deformities on his knees. Still, Smock is convinced the youngster will walk again. “The end goal is for him to be up walking again,” Smock said. “However, that’s several months away because his wounds will need to completely heal. He’ll probably need additional surgery because his knees are contracted in a partially flexed posture.”Abas has formed a bond with his doctor. Though he did not want to at first, now he changes his own bandages every day when Smock asks him to, and scrubs his wounds in the bathtub. In fact, it was apparent Abas was very happy to see the doctor. “I like him,” Abas said. “He always talks to me, and I like to talk to him even though I don’t know all the words.”Smock said Abas has become something of a celebrity around FOB Fenty. “He goes everywhere on this base,” Smock said. “He was the first patient we had when we got here. We all miss our kids, so we’ve all taken a liking to him. Everybody gives him clothes and toys – he’s our favorite little guy.“As the medics have taken him out to get some fresh air, he’s made friends at every stop - with the fire dept, the MP, the air crew and the local shops. They all love him,” said Smock.Gonzales is one of the people who saw him around the base, and took the boy, along with Hilburn and one of his interpreters, to the cafe to get his first shake. When he did, Abas told him that he wanted some Afghan food, so the next day, Gonzales showed up at his hospital bed with a plate of rice, beef and kabob.Smock hopes he'll still be present the day Abas rises to his feet and walks again, although he said that it's unlikely. “He’ll walk again, but it will take more time and more work,” he said. “We’re not going to back down until it happens. We want to see the patient get better. We also take it as a matter of personal pride. We’re not going to fail this patient.”
However, not all farmers shared Abrahim’s view. Abudl Aziz, who also farms about an acre of land not far from FOB Wright, told ADT members that he was satisfied with the provincial govt’s efforts to improve agriculture. “They gave me some shovels and other tools when I needed them,” Aziz said. “I think they're doing a good job overall.”
In addition to visiting with farmers, members of the ADT also surveyed the crops currently under cultivation. Alongside relatively large fields of winter wheat, the ADT discovered smaller plots of parsley, spinach, clover, rice and even okra. Army Maj. Dwayne Eden, production agriculture specialist for the ADT led the mission, and expressed surprise at the wide range of crops right outside the base. “We came expecting to find mostly winter wheat, and we did see plenty of that in different stages of development,” Eden said. “But, the farmers here are obviously not tied to any one crop, and appear to try to be making the most out of the climate here, especially in their smaller plots.” The ADT foot patrol continued north alongside a canal leading toward Asadabad, the provincial capital. About halfway to Asadabad, the ADT found a small village, complete with 3 tiny shops and a water wheel the village elder used to generate electricity for the village’s few modest mud-brick homes.Army Capt. Pat Birgy applauded the ingenuity of the nameless village’s elder. He also pointed out the value of spending time getting to know the Afghan people near FOB Wright.“We probably would never have known about this place if we hadn’t patrolled out to it. They’ve got some things here we could really help them improve,” Birgy said. “That’s what I love about the Guard,” he added. “We’re always part of the community, even when the community is in Afghanistan.”
“Knowledge is important for everyone. With it, we can remove discrimination, better connect with nature, and have a good relationship with God,” said Azizurahman Tawab, the Kapisa executive chief, through an interpreter.
“We're all very glad that the PRT has helped to build this school, but it’s important to remember that the maintenance of this school is a responsibility for all the Nijrab people, Zargaran villagers, and students,” said Sultan Mohammad Safi, Nijrab District sub-governor. "The PRT is very glad that we were able to work with Gulab Ikhlas Construction Co., to build this project for the people of Nijrab," said AF Capt. Seth Platt, Kapisa PRT civil engr. “We hope that as this school is used, more and more children will receive a quality education that will benefit their future, and build a stronger educational foundation for the entire prov., which will help all the people of Kapisa.”During the meeting, Mohammad Safi expressed his gratitude for the PRT’s assistance, specifically mentioning the recent construction of the Nijrab courthouse, and his intentions for it to be used to its fullest capacity for the good of the local people.
“My main goal was to check in on the courthouse a few weeks after its opening,” said Jim Morris, Dept of State rep for Kapisa PRT. “Once construction is finished, there's still a lot of work to be done. I was pleased to see that the judge was there, pleased with the facility, and all of the staff hard at work”.
Morris also shared that during their courthouse visit, the judge emphasized how the impressive facility, located in the heart of the district, sent a positive signal about the GoA’s dedication to rule of law.
Bevalian spoke with Mohammad Hassan, an employee at one of the local hotels in the village. Hassan agreed that people should be able to bring their concerns to village elders, who would then bring those issues to the district leaders. But, that doesn’t always happen.
“There is some work to do in the governance area,” Bevalian said. “I'm going to work directly with the line ministry directors to focus on good governance, to help the people connect with their leaders. That's really what we want to do.” On the topic of security, Hassan was more positive. “So far, everything is good,” Hassan said. Fazol Rahim, the village baker, agreed with Hassan. “Security is fine in the district,” he said. “Life is easy. I have my bakery and no complaints.” The PRT also handed out copies of the Voice of Freedom newspaper. It's a publication produced bi-weekly by the ISAF in English, Dari and Pashto.-30-
BASRA - The girls, Amber, Camille, Dakota, Giselle, Lindsay and Paige from the Purrfect Angelz elite dance troupe performed at the USD-S Resiliency Campus for the Soldiers and civilians of Basra.
"This is an amazing experience to be here performing for you," said Giselle."The show was awesome," said Sgt. Stephan Nickell, 1st ID., DHHB. Nickell said that he and his battle buddies had been planning for a month, arranging different work schedules to be able to attend the show together. "They really put on a great show," Nickell said. "They lifted our morale so much."
"For the Purrfect Angelz it's an honor to be chosen to come here and provide entertainment for the men and women fighting in Iraq," said Dakota.
"We love you guys," said Giselle, "You guys are truly my heroes."
Story and photos by Spc. Roland Hale
Spc. Brandon Chautin, an Apache repairer, helps pilots from the 1st Attack Recon Bn, 1st Aviation Regt, conduct tests of the aircraft's systems on Camp Taji, Dec. 5.
These crews are especially busy in Iraq, a unit in high demand as the only Apache bn deployed here. "The pilots do the hardest job, flying the long hours, but they couldn't make that mission without their aircraft," says Spc. Sean Hillery, 36.
Hillery, who worked as a construction mgr before he joined the Army 2 years ago, and like most of the bn's crew chiefs, says that he's spent most of his life "tinkering on something or another."
Before they become crew chiefs, the enlisted ground crews work in maintenance hangars as electricians and mechanics, whose workload could intimidate even the most experienced wrench-turners.
Crew chiefs like Hillery and Hart are not only responsible for maintaining the aircraft, but also inspecting its systems, and helping pilots prepare for missions. When an Apache leaves or returns, crew chiefs stand by to help the pilots, perform rapid troubleshoots, and conduct preflight and post flight checks.
"The crew chiefs tend to more than the aircraft's needs," says Hart. "We take care of the pilots, too," said Hart. "We're there to get them out if something goes wrong, and we make sure they're safe when they get in the aircraft."
Outside the Apache's immediate team of pilots and crew chiefs, other enlisted personnel do their part to keep the aircraft in the air. Spc. Alex Knapp, 21, is an Apache armament, electrical, and avionics systems repairer. Knapp and his peers work alongside the Apache crew chiefs, specializing in some of the aircraft's more technical aspects - aspects Knapp says are the "bread and butter" of making the Apache work.
"Sometimes you've got to get down in tight spots that aren't exactly comfortable, but loading rounds into the gun, loading the missiles, the rockets...this is a great job, well worth it," says Knapp.