'Crazyhorse' Medics Save Locals’ Lives
Of their successes, one patient in particular stands out in their memories: an ABP officer who’d received a gunshot wound in his chest. The ABP officer was brought into the clinic, Aug. 15, unconscious and needing a blood transfusion. The medics of Team Crazyhorse went to work, turning their tiny aid station into an impromptu emergency room.
1st Lt. David Hildebrand, the plt. leader for Crazyhorse’s 3rd Plt, and Spc. Jay Dick, a rifleman, both natives of Okla., volunteered to give blood to the ABP soldier, as they matched his blood type, O negative. “I wanted to show our Afghan partners that we're here to help them,” said Hildebrand.The Crazyhorse medics treated the soldier without pause for more than 9 hours, keeping him alive until an ambulance arrived to evacuate him to a local hospital. He survived his injuries and is currently recovering.“That’s my only job: to help save lives” said 1st Lt. Jason Henry, the physician asst. for Crazyhorse.Treating patients in their improvised ER isn’t the only duty of these Crazyhorse medics. On top of treating the injured, Co C medics go out on each patrol, and all have treated patients under fire. “You don’t really think about it; it’s just muscle memory; you just go and do your job,” said Sgt. Johnathon Lowe, a resident of Okla., about working under fire.Lowe’s dedication to his job, as well as the dedication of his fellow medics, has earned them much respect from the men of team Crazyhorse. “I’ve seen these guys work under fire. They work as riflemen; then, when something happens, they go into action as a medic. I wouldn’t go anywhere without these guys,” said Hildebrand. Crazyhorse medics have also had to be treated themselves. Spc. Jared Fletcher of Okla., was in a vehicle struck by an IED. Fletcher suffered a traumatic brain injury in the blast; however, this did not hinder him. He stabilized the other occupants in the vehicle before the quick reaction force arrived, and received treatment for his own injuries - only after he was done stabilizing the other soldiers. He was evacuated along with the rest of the injured soldiers.“Fletcher basically shut everything out and did his job,” says Capt. Brandon Kimbrel, a native Kan., and cmdr. of team Crazyhorse. “This gives us security and confidence in the medics, down to the lowest level of soldier.”
Marine Father Promotes Marine Son at Camp Leatherneck
CAMP LEATHERNECK -- When Cpl. Nathan Hunter, an embarkation clerk with 2nd MAW (Fwd), was promoted to his current rank, fate allowed his father and mentor, Master GnrySgt. James Hunter, to be present, and to pin new corporal chevrons on his son.
“I always wanted to follow in my father's and older brother’s footsteps and be a Marine,” said Nathan, who calls N.C., home. “It meant a lot to have my father present when I was promoted.” According to James, he always knew that his sons would grow up to be Marines. "Even when they were very young," James said, "Nathan and Mitchell would run and physically train with their father."“My dad has always been there to give me advice, to set me on the right path,” Nathan said. “My father’s experience has helped me a great deal both personally and professionally.” Nathan’s promotion also ironically falls right in line with a similar milestone in his father’s career. “When I look at him I see a reflection of my youth, and the wonderment of beginning a new path in life,” James added with a smile.For Nathan becoming a Marine Corps NCO means a new role in the Marine Corps. “Although I'm still technically the junior Marine in my work section, the rank still means higher expectation from my leadership, as well as many new responsibilities,” Nathan said.As Marines are promoted, they bring with them new ideas while still enforcing long-held high standards. These new ideas and leaders are what allow the Corps to maintain its status as America’s force in readiness. “I've been in for 29 years and I've watched the Marines Corps change,” James said. “The Marines of today are very smart and technically savvy, as well as being quick studies. “My son is a member of this new generation of Marines with a very bright future ahead of him.”
Master GnrySgt. James Hunter congratulates his son, Cpl. Nathan Hunter, after the corporal's promotion.
Master GnrySgt. James Hunter pins the rank of corporal on the collar of his son, Cpl. Nathan Hunter.
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DVIDS
New ANA Training Facility to be Built on Shindand Airbase
SHINDAND AIRBASE -- Building a stronger, more educated, self sufficient country is a priority for the success of Afghanistan. Training is critical to accomplish this task. At a small post in western Afghanistan, an Army bn. is helping pave the way to make it happen.
The training facility will include a new runway to assist ANA soldiers in pilot training, and an airport ops terminal. Currently, the proposed site is located where 298th CSSB conducts daily ops. In addition, a new basic training compound, billeting, a mess hall, and unit offices are currently under construction.Moving locations of the 298th CSSB is a massive construction project that will include new billets, mess halls, latrines and shower facilities, all classes of supply yards, unit buildings and motor pools.Spc. Mark Bingamon, shared, “by moving our location, we're giving the ANA an area for training so they can learn the skills needed to accomplish their jobs, and prepare themselves to eventually take over the coalition mission in their country."Capt. William Lowry, 298th CSSB, plans officer-in-charge shared, "this is yet another step for us to assist the ANA, and Afghanistan as a whole, towards being self sufficient. To be a strong force, you must know how to complete the tasks of your job; for that you need training. We're helping them by providing an area for it. "The far east expansion project is expected to be completed in mid 2012. Following completion of the relocation of the 298th, the runway construction will begin.Capt. William Lowry and Sgt. 1st Class Dharwin Delarna, TF Resolute, Engr. NCO-in-charge, survey the site of the ANA basic training area on Shindand Airbase.
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DVIDS
TF Phoenix Soldier Delivers Care Packages to Remote Locations
BAGRAM -- Some Soldiers reside in remote areas, work with no running water, consume only pre-packaged meals, receive mail infrequently, and have no electricity. “I was an infantry soldier when I first entered the Army in 1989, so I know firsthand how difficult it can be living under these conditions,” said Roberts, “I took it upon myself to go to all the units at Bagram asking for anything they could donate to help these soldiers.”
Roberts said he understands how important receiving mail is for the morale of deployed soldiers. “We fly all over Afghanistan and see the living conditions some of our fellow soldiers live in - which is extremely rough,” said Roberts.Roberts and his crew make quick supply drops to many areas that don't have common amenities. During these scheduled flights, Roberts and his crew quickly unload the supplies, as well as care packages to these soldiers. The supplies are often quickly delivered without landing; and in rare circumstances, the crew gets to interact with the soldiers they help.
“On one occasion, instead of just dropping off the load and immediately taking off - we landed. This is something we don't do very often,” said Roberts, “One of the soldiers assigned there walked over to our bird and looked in; we gave him the first of a long line of donated boxes. It took about one minute and we had about 30 Soldiers running to our bird to get the rest. It felt like Christmas in July to us, and our hearts felt joy!”The leadership within Roberts’ unit supports his endeavor, and has noticed the positive effects it has had on their soldiers. “I believe that Sgt. Roberts’ efforts have improved the morale of our unit,” said 1st Sgt. Todd Carter, the Co D, 7-158th 1st sgt. “Every Soldier knows what it's like to receive a package from home. Getting the opportunity to help soldiers in austere conditions receive packages makes us feel good.”Carter, a native Kan., has served in the Army for almost 20 years. He said that he's immensely impressed by Roberts’ drive to help other soldiers. “I've never witnessed one soldier support so many other soldiers in the way that Sgt. Roberts has; he's the epitome of selfless service,” said Carter. “It's great to see the smiling faces at remote bases when we arrive,” said Carter. “It's like Santa coming in a big green Chinook.”Roberts received the rare opportunity to spend some time at one of the locations in August, and finally interacted with the soldiers, since his arrival in May. “I was on a crew that flew a maintenance team for helicopter repairs to FOB Bluejay,” said Roberts. “We were there for a little over 24 hours, and because of this, I was able to talk with the Soldiers assigned there.”Roberts said the Soldiers in this location rarely see fresh food – especially fruit. Knowing this, he offered an apple that he brought with him to one of the medics he found enjoying some down time. The medic cut the apple into 12 pieces, and shared it with everyone in his tent. He said it was wonderful to offer them such a rarity, and it brought back a rush of memories of when he was in the infantry and how close-knit everyone was.-30-PAKTIKA PROVINCE -- Ten years ago, Pfc. Erik Park was 12 years old growing up in Calif., when his father told him one September morning that the World Trade Center had gone down. He only had one response: “What’s the World Trade Center?”
Today, a decade after 9/11, Park fights in the war on terror from FOB Orgun-E, a small walled-in fortress, dug into an isolated high-mountain valley, in eastern Afghanistan near the Pakistan border. The only way in or out is by helicopter, or a 35-mile dirt road to the next-nearest base that takes 18 to 24 hours to navigate.
The elevation is a mile and a half above sea level, so the air is thin - and that suits Park just fine. Thin air means less resistance against projectiles that fly through the atmosphere to their target.Park, a member of 3rd Plt., Alpha Btry, 1st Bn, 77th FAR, 172nd Inf. Bde., is the “number one” man on a team that operates a massive M-777A2 155mm howitzer. All members of the team are numbered according to their specific job, and have synchronized tasks that have to be executed with precision, echoing cannon teams throughout history, particularly British naval teams from the Napoleonic Wars. Park’s job is to help load, elevate, and aim the “triple seven,” then pull the lanyard that ignites the charge; in short, he’s the triggerman. “The feeling of being on the gun line with my friends and with my chief is exciting,” said Park, explaining that one of the main functions of the howitzer teams is to react quickly to indirect fire – RPGs or other explosives that are indiscriminately lobbed at the base by insurgents, in the hopes of hitting something. This means they are on call 24/7 for the entire year they will spend on Orgun-E. 3rd Plt. can return fire immediately after the attack begins, often returning fire before the attack is over. “When everyone else is in the bunkers, my guys are at the guns,” said 3rd Plt. leader Capt. Anthony Pearson of Ohio.The 'triple seven' is a 9,000-lb solid steel goliath that is so well balanced when the barrel is down, that its crew can easily rotate it on its 2 wheels, like an I-beam on a Seqway scooter. Once it has been set, however, it's a monster that can launch its engine block-sized rounds over mountains with deadly accuracy.“We take everything into account when aiming,” said Pearson, “from the wind speeds and directions at different altitudes and the spinning of the round, to the rotation of the Earth.”Just as the naval cannons of the Napoleonic wars would blow the wooden walls of enemy ships into millions of pieces of shrapnel, a round from a triple seven will shred everything within 50 meters of its strike – rocks, dirt, trees, vehicles - into a shock wave of deadly projectiles. After only one month at Orgun-E, Park and his team have already sent plenty of rounds over the mountains to wreak havoc on enemy positions.One month into his 1-year deployment, Park is introspective about his mission here, in a war that was started when he wasn’t even old enough to know or care what the World Trade Center was. “I’m glad I’ve been to Afghanistan, so I know how it feels,” he said. “I’m glad I can be here to protect people.”“He’s a good soldier. He’s squared away and dependable. I can see him being a gun chief some day,” said the section’s gunner, Sgt.Carl Ellebb.With the 10-year anniversary of 9/11 only a few days away, Park has simpler goals. “I just want the people back home to know that we’re still out here fighting for our country.”FARYAB PROVINCE -- A combined Afghan and coalition SecFor killed 2 insurgents while searching for a Taliban leader in Shirin Tagab district, yesterday. The leader is responsible for transporting supplies and weapons used in attacks against Afghan security.
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HELMAND PROVINCE -- In Nawah-ye Barakzai district, a combined Afghan and coalition SecFor detained numerous insurgents, while searching for a Taliban leader, yesterday. The leader is responsible for multiple attacks against CF in the region. EastLOGAR PROVINCE – A combined Afghan and coalition SECFOR killed 2 insurgents, while conducting a security op in Charkh district, yesterday. The target of the op was a Taliban leader responsible for attacks against CF in the area. One additional suspected insurgent was detained and various weapons were also seized.
KHOST PROVINCE -- A combined Afghan and coalition SecFor detained a Haqqani network leader and several suspected insurgents, during an op in Manduzai district, yesterday. The leader is a known weapons facilitator in the area.GHAZNI PROVINCE -- In Ghazni district, a combined Afghan and coalition SecFor detained one suspected insurgent, while searching for a Taliban leader, yesterday. The leader is a roadside bomb facilitator responsible for attacks in the region, and also provides support to insurgent ops.KABUL PROVINCE -- A combined Afghan and coalition SecFor discovered a weapons and IED-making cache, during an op in Sarobi district, yesterday. The cache consisted of recoilless rifle ammo, 36 rockets and 80 mortar rounds. While the force was leaving the area, a local civilian also turned over an IED that was found in the area.
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