Sky Soldiers Give Aid at Road Accident

Sky Soldiers Give Roadside Aid - Images by Janet Killeen

On March 16th a panicky Afghan driver took an unexpected swim in an irrigation canal after losing control of his turquoise tuk-tuk, a three-wheel taxi.  The driver took the leap into the ditch as a convoy of American armored vehicles crept by carrying soldiers from Anvil Troop, 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team.  The American convoy, driving below the speed limit, was headed to Brigade Headquarters at FOB Shank.  A startled commander riding in the last vehicle witnessed the accident and called for an immediate halt of the convoy and execution of a recovery mission. 

A Medic from 1/91 Cavalry gave first aid at the scene whereby the patient, suffering from an arm injury, was whisked away to a first aid station at COP Baraki Barak to receive medical attention and an undetermined amount of cash for damages and injuries.   

A 'Combined Action' exercise was executed to retrieve the vehicle from the deep canal.  An Afghan boy drove the vehicle 30 feet down the canal at a distressing speed, to the base of a steep embankment where three brawny ‘Sky Soldiers,’ dressed in regulation uniform, body armor and eye protection, pulled the vehicle up to the dirt road. 

Twenty-two Afghan spectators who were watching the ‘Combined Action’ exercise, gave a nod of approval and returned to their business, which on an average day consists of sitting on grass mats drinking chai discussing the price of raw opium while their wives tend the fields.

Road conditions in Afghanistan can be precarious; safe passage is no small feat.  The narrow roads are jammed with taxis, motorcycles, jingle trucks, clusters of pedestrians and small white Corollas packed full with Taliban; all who compete for space with MRAPs, Cougars and Buffaloes—gigantic armored vehicles built to withstand IEDs. 

In more complicated incidents, when injury or damage is more extensive, an elite JAG team from the 173rd ABCT will intercede filling an important role in counterinsurgency operations by streamlining the process and winning the hearts of Afghan civilians, and easing the minds of American soldiers.

- by Janet Killeen