This site gets much traffic from all around the world, from people searching for news from Iraq, making it an ideal place to host stories from deployed forces in harm’s way. In my travels I’ve met many budding writers who are now wearing boots and carrying rifles, and I found their stories so compelling that I want the world to see.
- Details
- Published: Monday, 22 February 2010 21:04
- Written by Staff Sgt. Angelique N. Smythe
by Staff Sgt. Angelique N. Smythe
451st AEW Public Affairs
2/16/2010 - KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- A U.S. Air Force trauma surgeon stationed at the Center for Sustainment of Trauma and Readiness Skills in Baltimore, Md., quickly volunteered when a trauma critical care surgeon billet at Kandahar Airfield needed to be filled immediately.
One week after raising his hand, Dr. (Maj.) Joseph DuBose, landed at Kandahar Airfield. As soon as he picked up the phone Feb. 5 to let his new unit know he'd just arrived, there wasn't even a moment to in-process. They were already anxiously awaiting his arrival. A mass casualty event had taken place, and he was needed in the emergency room right away.
Read more: Airman volunteers to deploy from Maryland, save lives in Afghanistan
- Details
- Published: Monday, 22 February 2010 20:59
- Written by Staff Sgt. Angelique N. Smythe
by Staff Sgt. Angelique N. Smythe
451st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
2/17/2010 - KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (AFNS) -- Afghan National Army Air Corps members led a rescue operation in which they, along with their U.S. advisors from the 738th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group, rescued 83 Afghan villagers during a flash flood Feb. 8 in Kandahar.
The victims were a group of Kuchi nomads who lived in a small village on a sandbar located in the middle of a river. Normally, without rainfall, they would easily be able to walk across each side of the river, but after a heavy downpour, raging waters of up to 20 feet in depth closed in on the stranded villagers.
Read more: Afghans, Airmen conduct rescue mission following flash flood
- Details
- Published: Monday, 22 February 2010 19:48
- Written by Staff Sgt. Angelique N. Smythe
by Staff Sgt. Angelique N. Smythe
451st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
2/12/2010 - KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (AFNS) -- At the Kandahar Regional Military Hospital in Afghanistan, Afghan patients are situated in wards, the intensive care unit, the operating room or the emergency room. Afghan doctors and nurses stroll throughout the building reading charts, caring for patients and performing operations. Right next to them are American medics, watching and mentoring.
Col. Lorn Heyne is the chief of the medical embedded training team for the Kandahar Regional Military Hospital at Camp Hero, Afghanistan. He has a team of 10 medics, including two doctors, who must teach the Afghan medical staff as much as they can within six months.
Read more: Airmen Mentor Afghans at Regional Hospital
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- Published: Monday, 22 February 2010 19:31
- Written by CSM Jeff Mellinger
24 Feburary 2010
From: Mellinger, Jeffrey J CSM MIL USA
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE
Today, at Arlington National Cemetery, we lay to rest COL(R) Robert L. Howard. The link for the interview is at the end of this email.
Read a bit about Howard at one of these links: The Robert L. Howard Tribute Website, The Congressional Medal of Honor Society Website, The Washington Post- Medal of Honor recipient Col. Robert L. Howard dies at 70.
COL(R) Howard was arguably America's most highly decorated Warrior ever, earning more awards for valor (10) than Audie Murphy, but he was surely America’s most highly living warrior until his death. The US Army Special Forces Command (Airborne) Biographical Sketch.
Color image from the Robert L. Howard Tribute website.
Wounded 14 times in 54 months of combat duty in Vietnam, Robert Howard was awarded 8 Purple Hearts and was believed to be the most decorated living American.
Colonel Howard served five tours in Vietnam and is the only soldier in our nation's history to be nominated for the Medal of Honor three times for three separate actions within a thirteen-month period. He received a direct appointment from Master Sergeant to 1st Lieutenant in 1969, and was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Richard M. Nixon at the White House in 1971. Colonel Howard is one of America's most decorated soldiers. His other awards for valor include the Distinguished Service Cross - our nation's second highest award, the Silver Star - the third highest award, and eight Purple Hearts. He was the last Vietnam Special Forces Medal of Honor recipient still on active duty when he retired on Sept. 29, 1992.
Interview at the Pritzer Military Library Website.
Please find some time to read, listen and reflect on one of America’s real heroes – Robert L. Howard. He was once my commander, and always my friend. I last saw Bob in Iraq.
Jeff
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE
- Details
- Published: Sunday, 21 February 2010 19:08
- Written by admin
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Attached is the 5/2 ID (SBCT) Combat Camera Weekly. All imagery is cleared for public release; please share it with your friends, family, and co-workers.
High-resolution versions of more Combat Camera imagery is available at the following sources:
Defense Imagery - http://www.defenseimagery.mil
DVIDS - http://www.dvidshub.net/units/jcca
Sincerely,
PAUL C. SMEDEGAARD, Maj, USAF
OIC, 5/2 ID (SBCT) Combat Camera
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE
