This part of Afghanistan is getting a bit chillier. in the distant, higher peaks we can see some snow. Nothing too crazy though - right now the weather is nice, not too hot, not too cold.
Thanksgiving was here at Blessing as well. The food was quite good - turkey (of course), prime rib, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, creamed green beans, corn on the cob, stuffing, and lots of pie and ice cream. They brought out the food for lunch and we had the majority of the medics all at one table. it was nice getting the platoon family together, seeing our guys come off missions and welcoming the new medics to the platoon.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
Memorial
Yesterday was the memorial ceremony for our recent KIAs - 6 total in one operation, 5 of which occured in the same firefight. The memorial was conducted at a smaller base that the soldiers lived at. For the spartan environment, it was very well conducted. It was good to gain some closure on our medic who was killed. We saw a bunch of our other medics from the other bases - a little mini reunion - but it is unfortunate that it took an incident like this to gather everyone. One of the NCOs (Daniel, you met him) and I flew to the base and on the flight over, I couldn't help but notice how beautiful the countryside is. The stunning terrain belies the violence implemented upon it. It is a strange, unfortunate duality of this country. It's crazy to think of how much we've accomplished during our year+ back at Campbell, and how much we've accomplished in our nearly 7 months here.
In FOB Blessing, Lt Alex Pruden also wrote about the cost of war " Just to give you all a quick update, 3rd Platoon and the "Above the Rest" Battalion have been very busy this month. As I've alluded to in the past few posts, we've stepped up our efforts to root out Taliban presence in the Pech and its tributaries...and security has greatly improved for the people of this area. Unfortunately, these victories have borne a price: on the last major operation, 6 soldiers were killed and many more wounded...It was a solemn reminder to all of us of the danger we face and the risks we take every day. Thank you all for your prayers and support, I'll bring you up to speed soon."
In FOB Blessing, Lt Alex Pruden also wrote about the cost of war " Just to give you all a quick update, 3rd Platoon and the "Above the Rest" Battalion have been very busy this month. As I've alluded to in the past few posts, we've stepped up our efforts to root out Taliban presence in the Pech and its tributaries...and security has greatly improved for the people of this area. Unfortunately, these victories have borne a price: on the last major operation, 6 soldiers were killed and many more wounded...It was a solemn reminder to all of us of the danger we face and the risks we take every day. Thank you all for your prayers and support, I'll bring you up to speed soon."
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Fighting intensifies
Indeed the fighting intensifies. The battalion was engaged in a 4-day battle in what was once one of our quietest valleys. It started as a company air assault, and within 24 hours one platoon became combat ineffective. three of the key leaders were wounded, as well as my medic attached to that platoon, who was killed. The article is at this link:
http://www.wtxl.com/content/topstories/story/Chihuahua-family-opens-up-about-their-loss/Mglrwyr-Mku5v6fk72KJqQ.cspx
After the first day, the brigade poured in asset after asset - two more companies, a ranger platoon, an Afghan commando unit and two special forces teams, and all the aircraft possible. all medics out there dealt with a mass casualty situation at one point or another.
Operaiton Bulldog Bite, now five days long, has resulted in the deaths of more than 50 enemy fighters and the discovery of two or three "large" weapons caches, but has cost six lives of 101st Airborne Division soldiers and others injured.
The operation is penetrating deep into the Pech River Valley and is involving several nighttime air assaults to root out enemy fighters from the remote mountain villages.
On another note, we've continued to get a lot of care packages, letters, and support from all of you. Again, we want to tell you that we greatly appreciate it. We have reached the halfway point in the tour, and many of us are looking forward to leave over the holidays, and our thoughts reach back to home, family, and friends. So getting a letter or a package does wonders for keeping spirits up.
http://www.wtxl.com/content/topstories/story/Chihuahua-family-opens-up-about-their-loss/Mglrwyr-Mku5v6fk72KJqQ.cspx
After the first day, the brigade poured in asset after asset - two more companies, a ranger platoon, an Afghan commando unit and two special forces teams, and all the aircraft possible. all medics out there dealt with a mass casualty situation at one point or another.
Operaiton Bulldog Bite, now five days long, has resulted in the deaths of more than 50 enemy fighters and the discovery of two or three "large" weapons caches, but has cost six lives of 101st Airborne Division soldiers and others injured.
The operation is penetrating deep into the Pech River Valley and is involving several nighttime air assaults to root out enemy fighters from the remote mountain villages.
On another note, we've continued to get a lot of care packages, letters, and support from all of you. Again, we want to tell you that we greatly appreciate it. We have reached the halfway point in the tour, and many of us are looking forward to leave over the holidays, and our thoughts reach back to home, family, and friends. So getting a letter or a package does wonders for keeping spirits up.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Challenges
The Pech Valley river is fed from glaciers and snow from the Hindu Kush mountain range to its north. The river rises in central Nuristan Province and proceeds south and southeasternly through the center of Kunar Province, joining the Kunar River at the provincial capital of Asadabad. It is considered one of the most dangerous places for NATO troops in Afghanistan.
Lately, it’s finally cooling off around the valley. Snow has appeared on several distant peaks...I have a feeling it’s a sign of things to come.
From FOB Blessing, Lt. Alex Pruden recently wrote:
"...Please keep PFC Luis Vasquez in your thoughts and prayers. PFC Vasquez was wounded last week during combat operations, and was evacuated first to Bagram, then to Landstuhl, and ultimately back to the U.S. Fortunately, his surgery was successful and he should recover. Also been meaning to send out thank yous to everyone who has supported us with a care package. I know a blanket "thank you" post on this blog is a sorry excuse for a real thank you note, but rest assured, they are coming. Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers...
Let me just start off by saying that this has been our busiest day so far. Prior to election day, the insurgents issued night letters and death threats to citizens, hoping to deter them from voting. Local Taliban commanders were reinforced with fighters from other provinces and districts. The Taliban shadow government threatened spectacular attacks against the various polling centers. The polls opened early, and we were out even earlier. In the Waygul Valley, we had one polling site. As in everything else we do, we worked jointly with our Afghan partners to provide security for it. The Afghan National Army and Police provided local security at the site itself. We roved throughout the area, maintaining a constant presence and attempting to provide a buffer between the enemy and the polling site...
Throughout the battalion, fighting was heavy. Our platoon alone was involved in three different firefights in two different areas. We encountered everything from RPG’s and machine guns to snipers and mortars. At one point during the second fight, the platoon was pinned down by heavy enemy fire, and three soldiers were wounded. After evacuating the casualties back to FOB Blessing, we took enough time to grab a mouthful of food and reload ammo and fuel before it was back out the gate and back into the fray... At the end of an exhausting day, our platoon (as well as our company and battalion) successfully completed our mission. Thanks to our efforts, all of the enemy activity was directed away from the polling centers.
Essentially every Afghan in our district who wanted to vote was able to do so. Over one thousand men and women traveled to the Waygul polling site and voted. People happily exclaimed that they were very happy with the security, that it was even better than during last year’s presidential elections. Although that was our busiest day yet, neither we nor the enemy has sat idle since then. The members of this platoon have proved themselves again and again in the face of the enemy, and will continue to do so until our job is done...
Bottom line: we’ve seen a decent share of challenges lately, and the men of the platoon have showed great courage in the face of them. We’ve learned some important lessons, and gained new respect for the enemy and the difficulties that the terrain of this valley presents....Recently, the enemy took the opportunity to remind us that we do indeed serve in one of the most dangerous places in Afghanistan..."
Lately, it’s finally cooling off around the valley. Snow has appeared on several distant peaks...I have a feeling it’s a sign of things to come.
From FOB Blessing, Lt. Alex Pruden recently wrote:
"...Please keep PFC Luis Vasquez in your thoughts and prayers. PFC Vasquez was wounded last week during combat operations, and was evacuated first to Bagram, then to Landstuhl, and ultimately back to the U.S. Fortunately, his surgery was successful and he should recover. Also been meaning to send out thank yous to everyone who has supported us with a care package. I know a blanket "thank you" post on this blog is a sorry excuse for a real thank you note, but rest assured, they are coming. Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers...
Let me just start off by saying that this has been our busiest day so far. Prior to election day, the insurgents issued night letters and death threats to citizens, hoping to deter them from voting. Local Taliban commanders were reinforced with fighters from other provinces and districts. The Taliban shadow government threatened spectacular attacks against the various polling centers. The polls opened early, and we were out even earlier. In the Waygul Valley, we had one polling site. As in everything else we do, we worked jointly with our Afghan partners to provide security for it. The Afghan National Army and Police provided local security at the site itself. We roved throughout the area, maintaining a constant presence and attempting to provide a buffer between the enemy and the polling site...
Throughout the battalion, fighting was heavy. Our platoon alone was involved in three different firefights in two different areas. We encountered everything from RPG’s and machine guns to snipers and mortars. At one point during the second fight, the platoon was pinned down by heavy enemy fire, and three soldiers were wounded. After evacuating the casualties back to FOB Blessing, we took enough time to grab a mouthful of food and reload ammo and fuel before it was back out the gate and back into the fray... At the end of an exhausting day, our platoon (as well as our company and battalion) successfully completed our mission. Thanks to our efforts, all of the enemy activity was directed away from the polling centers.
Essentially every Afghan in our district who wanted to vote was able to do so. Over one thousand men and women traveled to the Waygul polling site and voted. People happily exclaimed that they were very happy with the security, that it was even better than during last year’s presidential elections. Although that was our busiest day yet, neither we nor the enemy has sat idle since then. The members of this platoon have proved themselves again and again in the face of the enemy, and will continue to do so until our job is done...
Bottom line: we’ve seen a decent share of challenges lately, and the men of the platoon have showed great courage in the face of them. We’ve learned some important lessons, and gained new respect for the enemy and the difficulties that the terrain of this valley presents....Recently, the enemy took the opportunity to remind us that we do indeed serve in one of the most dangerous places in Afghanistan..."
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Kids
" Election day was made for a very kinetic day. All our OPs got hit at once, every US element got hit, shot at etc... 15,000 people turned out to vote (or so we were told) and none of the polling sites were attacked. WE were attacked, but none of the polling sites. I guess democracy was defended that day, albeit Afghanistan democracy.
Today was quite eventful, starting around 1500 this afternoon. We got a report of a small child playing up by our range who evidently picked up an unexploded grenade that detonated. We watched as he was carried down by the Afghan security guards, and they brought him to our aid station.
I was the first to receive him and at first, I thought he was dead. There was a huge crowd of local workers and security guards when the kid was offloaded, and I think everyone was in too much shock to do anything, because it took a good 3 seconds for anyone to move him from the back of the truck to a stretcher. So he was pretty badly injured. He'll lose a foot, an arm and perhaps the other hand. He made it alive out of here and last I checked he was still alive at the forward surgical team and Bagram accepted him.
It's sad that this is such a horrible place for kids to live in....to be accurrate, the kid was doing something he shouldn't have been doing. Kids will chase after convoys for spent brass - they can sell it. Kids get hurt all the time doing that, but this was likely the worst. From a medical perspective, this was probably the ultimate casualty for medics. We saw and treated everything you could possibly imagine. The medics did well though...but i was also too busy running around dealing with the medevac and the father, who looked pretty hopeless. He wanted to see his son while he was being treated, but it was a bit too bad for us to bring him in. Later on when we had him packaged up we let him in and explained everything that was going on.
On a more positive note, the ANA battalion commander came to the aid station and invited all the medics specifically to have dinner with him because "he was grateful that we've been helping his soldiers so much".....but the food was very well done. It was high dining Afghan National Army style."
Today was quite eventful, starting around 1500 this afternoon. We got a report of a small child playing up by our range who evidently picked up an unexploded grenade that detonated. We watched as he was carried down by the Afghan security guards, and they brought him to our aid station.
I was the first to receive him and at first, I thought he was dead. There was a huge crowd of local workers and security guards when the kid was offloaded, and I think everyone was in too much shock to do anything, because it took a good 3 seconds for anyone to move him from the back of the truck to a stretcher. So he was pretty badly injured. He'll lose a foot, an arm and perhaps the other hand. He made it alive out of here and last I checked he was still alive at the forward surgical team and Bagram accepted him.
It's sad that this is such a horrible place for kids to live in....to be accurrate, the kid was doing something he shouldn't have been doing. Kids will chase after convoys for spent brass - they can sell it. Kids get hurt all the time doing that, but this was likely the worst. From a medical perspective, this was probably the ultimate casualty for medics. We saw and treated everything you could possibly imagine. The medics did well though...but i was also too busy running around dealing with the medevac and the father, who looked pretty hopeless. He wanted to see his son while he was being treated, but it was a bit too bad for us to bring him in. Later on when we had him packaged up we let him in and explained everything that was going on.
On a more positive note, the ANA battalion commander came to the aid station and invited all the medics specifically to have dinner with him because "he was grateful that we've been helping his soldiers so much".....but the food was very well done. It was high dining Afghan National Army style."
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Snow
" This morning we were greeted with much cooler morning temps (less than 70 at 6 AM) and a dusting of snow on the distant mountains. By noon the snow had melted and temperatures were back to summerish highs.
Last night a cool front blew through and clouds built up overhead, a few spits of rain here and there."
Last night a cool front blew through and clouds built up overhead, a few spits of rain here and there."
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Lull
Messages received from FOB Blessing in the last couple days indicate that soldiers over there are all aware of the pastor's planned action in Gainesville, FL and are taking proactive measures for damage control.
On the recent battle of Omar, LT Alex Pruden wrote in the blog:
“...3rd Platoon came into the landing zone under fire, and proceeded to fight their way through the extremely difficult terrain of eight-foot high cornfields, ten foot terraces and a river (at nighttime). Fortunately, we had excellent support from our comrades in the sky, and the Apaches and Kiowa warriors rained hell down on insurgent positions in order to cover our assault.
Once we’d seized the village, the majority of the enemy resistance was broken, though we continued to take sporadic sniper fire throughout the day. Overall, the mission was clear success, with 19 insurgents confirmed killed. In addition, our platoon detained four wounded insurgent fighters. A major cache of rockets was also found and destroyed. No friendly casualties were sustained by the platoon, other than the platoon leader’s pride when he tumbled face first off of a farm terrace. But perhaps most impressively, the entire operation resulted in zero civilian casualties. This statistic is a testament that the soldiers of 3rd platoon not only know how to display courage and aggression, but also judgment and restraint...
Read about this in the press on the links below
http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2010/08/19_taliban_fightersphp
http://www.dvidshub.net/news/55448/afghan-coalition-forces-conduct-air-assault-kunar
There was one casualty of the battle that I do want to recognize: Private First Class Ethan Kirkwood of LaPlace, Louisiana. He was wounded when an 82mm mortar round landed on COP Michigan during the battle. Before being transferred to serve as a member of Lieutenant Colonel Ryan’s personal security detail a couple of months ago, PFC Kirkwood served in this platoon as a rifleman and grenadier. He was also selected among all the soldiers in the platoon to be the radio telephone operator. PFC Kirkwood is currently recovering from his wounds at Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital. His dedication, courage, and sacrifice are an inspiration to the men of this platoon and in keeping with the honorable tradition of the U.S. Army Soldier."
On the recent battle of Omar, LT Alex Pruden wrote in the blog:
“...3rd Platoon came into the landing zone under fire, and proceeded to fight their way through the extremely difficult terrain of eight-foot high cornfields, ten foot terraces and a river (at nighttime). Fortunately, we had excellent support from our comrades in the sky, and the Apaches and Kiowa warriors rained hell down on insurgent positions in order to cover our assault.
Once we’d seized the village, the majority of the enemy resistance was broken, though we continued to take sporadic sniper fire throughout the day. Overall, the mission was clear success, with 19 insurgents confirmed killed. In addition, our platoon detained four wounded insurgent fighters. A major cache of rockets was also found and destroyed. No friendly casualties were sustained by the platoon, other than the platoon leader’s pride when he tumbled face first off of a farm terrace. But perhaps most impressively, the entire operation resulted in zero civilian casualties. This statistic is a testament that the soldiers of 3rd platoon not only know how to display courage and aggression, but also judgment and restraint...
Read about this in the press on the links below
http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2010/08/19_taliban_fightersphp
http://www.dvidshub.net/news/55448/afghan-coalition-forces-conduct-air-assault-kunar
There was one casualty of the battle that I do want to recognize: Private First Class Ethan Kirkwood of LaPlace, Louisiana. He was wounded when an 82mm mortar round landed on COP Michigan during the battle. Before being transferred to serve as a member of Lieutenant Colonel Ryan’s personal security detail a couple of months ago, PFC Kirkwood served in this platoon as a rifleman and grenadier. He was also selected among all the soldiers in the platoon to be the radio telephone operator. PFC Kirkwood is currently recovering from his wounds at Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital. His dedication, courage, and sacrifice are an inspiration to the men of this platoon and in keeping with the honorable tradition of the U.S. Army Soldier."
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