Medic recalls his actions during attack

Spc. Dustin Perry
1/34 BCT Public Affairs

BALAD — “Watch any war movie,” said Spc. James Black, “and you always see some crazy and brave guy with a red cross on his arm doing the impossible to save his brothers – that is what people come to expect from combat medics.”

Black, a 23-year-old student from Weatherford, Okla., didn’t have a red cross on his arm Sept. 4, 2006, nor does he consider what he did that day to be crazy or brave. It was just his job.

The mission was to escort supply trucks to an Army base in northern Iraq. Black, then attached to the B Troop of the Lincoln, Neb.-based 1st Squadron, 167th Cavalry Regiment, was the convoy’s medic, driving in the middle Humvee as the group returned to Balad.

They were on the road for about a half hour when Black saw a flash followed by a large fireball and a loud boom, he said. An improvised explosive device concealed in the median of the highway had detonated as the scout vehicle, ahead of the rest of the convoy, drove by it. A written report said the vehicle spun several times and immediately burst into flames.

When Black’s vehicle reached the site of the explosion he saw the gunner, Pfc. Luis Estrada, lying on his back in front of the wreckage.

“I moved to [Estrada’s] position and tried to wake him,” wrote Black via e-mail. “When I couldn’t keep him conscious, I pulled him to the side of my vehicle away from the burning truck.”

After bandaging Estrada’s bleeding, shrapnel-damaged hips and moving him to a safe area, Black treated two of the other passengers for smoke inhalation. He then went back to the burning truck to aid in the extraction of the driver Sgt. Germaine Debro, who was still trapped inside. It proved difficult at first because the driver-side door had been caved in and wedged in position by the IED detonation. Also, heat from the fire caused ammunition and fragmentary grenades inside the cab to begin “cooking off.” The door was finally ripped away and Debro was removed.

“We called for a medical evacuation and I began to treat Debro for all the injuries I could in a hasty manner,” said Black.

This wasn’t Black’s first enemy encounter in a war zone. He had been attached to the Pennsylvania-based 28th Infantry Division when it was deployed to Ar Ramadi in 2005. His Humvee sustained minor damage from an IED attack while he was on a mission two weeks after being in Iraq. His first chance to perform duties as a medic also happened in Ramadi; a supply truck had been hit in its fuel tank while he was part of another convoy. It too caught fire, but both occupants managed to escape. Black helped carry one of the injured men and load him into his vehicle before both passengers were airlifted to a nearby hospital.

Black, a five-year Army veteran, drew upon both of those experiences as he and another medic continued to treat Debro for about 45 minutes. The two were struggling to keep the injured Soldier’s vital signs positive, alternating as they breathed and pumped air into Debro’s chest until the evacuation helicopter arrived.

Even though Black seemed outwardly calm and collected while he was treating Debro, “that was a complete mask,” he said. He had to work as fast as possible just to keep his hands from shaking.

“One of the first things I learned in school was to not show how bad things are to anyone,” said Black. “If everyone thinks you have the situation under control, then it helps others to stay calm – especially the wounded.”

Despite Black’s quick, instinctive rescue actions and decisive medical treatment, Debro’s injuries were too severe and he later died – an event that still gives Black nightmares.

“I think the burden of the medic is to live not only with the successes of saving a life, but also the horrors of seeing your friends die,” said Black. “[As a medic], there is no greater failure than having someone pass away in your arms. You have to learn to accept the fact that you can’t save them all, but the first time someone dies that you treated directly, it scars you.”

Black has been home since November after fulfilling his 12-month deployment obligation as a member of the Inactive Ready Reserve. Immediately after the attack, he was nominated for a Bronze Star Medal with Valor for his actions but is unsure of whether or not it has been approved yet. He maintains that he was simply doing what he was trained to do – “to treat the wounded, regardless of the risk.”

“My title is ‘Doc,’ and I refuse to be called a hero,” said Black. “To me, the term ‘hero’ is usually applied to people who don’t have to do the incredible things they do for others. The ordinary Joes who run into a burning building to save another but have had no training in firefighting, those are heroes.”

Spc. James Black, a combat medic formerly attached to the Lincoln, Neb.-based 1st Squadron, 167th Cavalry Regiment, poses for a photo while preparing for a convoy mission. Photo courtesy of U.S. Army.

Iraqi citizens aid security forces

Tuesday, 03 April 2007
By Spc. Carl N. Hudson
Combined Press Information Center.

BAGHDAD - An Iraqi Army general and a spokesman for Multi-National Force-Iraq held a press conference concerning the progress of Fardh Al-Qanoon at the Combined Press Information Center Sunday.

Iraqi Army Brig. Gen. Qassim Moussawi and U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Mark Fox, an MNF-I spokesman, provided an update on recent achievements by Iraqi and Coalition forces and encouraged the Iraqi population to keep providing more information leading to the capture of terrorists.

“We’ve seen some initial progress, but our work will not be accomplished in days or weeks, but will require a sustained effort over the course of many months,” said Fox.

Along with the contribution of over 5,000 tips from Iraqi citizens, Iraqi and Coalition forces seized over 300 weapons caches, detained over 1,400 suspects and cleared over 300 improvised explosive devices in March including the rescue of a kidnapped family in Doura, Iraq, last week.

We need the Iraqi people to provide us with more tips on the whereabouts of terrorists and weapons caches, said Moussawi.

Moussawi also spoke about terrorist intentions of “inflicting brutal casualties amongst the people.”

Terrorist groups have tried to infiltrate secure and quiet areas to inflict high casualty rates, said Moussawi.

Terrorists are also using chlorine gas or poisonous materials to affect the morale of the Iraqi people, he said.

While additional forces are en route to fully implement Fardh Al-Qanoon, Iraqi and Coalition troops have been able to limit terrorist activities.

“In order to protect the Iraqi people, 31 joint security stations and 22 combat outposts, manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week, are currently open in all 10 districts in Baghdad and more are being built,” said Fox.

As violence decreases in Baghad and other cities, some terrorists have fled to areas surrounding the cities, placing the responsibility of security on tribal leaders.

“Tribal leaders and tribesmen are conducting operations against [terrorists],” said Moussawi. “We have noticed military operations carried out by the tribes in Al-Anbar, Diyala, Hillah, and Nineveh; they have chased and tracked down these terrorists.”

As the Coalition and Iraqi populace aid the Iraqi government, confidence in security is expected to improve the economy and help establish water, sewage and electric facilities.

“The people of Iraq and the people of Baghdad are sick and tired of this violence,” said Fox. “We’re going to accomplish this mission.”

“There’s no moving out of neighborhoods anymore,” he added.

Photo: Iraqi Army Brig. Gen. Qassim Moussawi (right) and U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Mark Fox, an MNF-I spokesman, provide an update on the progress of Fardh Al-Qanoon at the Combined Press Information Center Sunday. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jennifer Fulk, Combined Press Information Center.

Afghan gov't, Coalition partners aid flood victims in Laghman

3 April 2007
Combined Joint Task Force-82 Press Release.

JALALABAD AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - The Laghman provincial government, Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition partners provided vital humanitarian assistance to flood victims in northeastern Afghanistan March 31-April 1.

The relief efforts came in the wake of severe flooding to the south of the provincial capital of Mehtar Lam. The flooding, which filled some areas with waist-high water, stranded around 200 Afghan civilians and left many without food, dry clothing or shelter.

Gov. Gulab Mangal of Laghman and ANSF spearheaded efforts to house villagers displaced by the flooding. Afghanistan International Transportation helicopters rescued around 150 stranded citizens.

Connecticut National Guardsmen from Task Force Iron Gray and members of the Mehtar Lam Provincial Reconstruction Team, meanwhile, assisted Mangal and ANSF in the relief efforts.

Islamic Republic of Afghanistan government and Coalition forces delivered food items including prepared meals, rice, beans and water. They distributed such clothing articles as jackets, gloves, sweaters, socks and gloves as well as tarps and blankets to the Qhargahe District Center for distribution through the Red Crescent.

Rain and melting snow in eastern Afghanistan has caused rivers and creeks to rise above normal levels prompting the flooding.

The allied effort brought life saving relief to dozens of Afghan families imperilled by the flooding. Coalition leaders praised the decisive efforts of Afghan government leaders during the crisis.

“Governor Mangal did an excellent job of coordinating all of the rescue and relief operations,” said Army Lt. Col. Steven Gilbert, the commander of Task Force Iron Gray. “He demonstrated how effective the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is with taking care of its people.”

“As Coalition forces are here to help the people of Afghanistan we did everything in our power to render assistance when Governor Mangal called,” Gilbert added. “I am very pleased with evacuating the flood victims and to arrange for the helicopters to assist in the rescue of so many citizens of Laghman. My Soldiers felt very good about the opportunity to deliver food, blankets and clothing in such a time of need.”

Photo: Villagers from Qhargahe District, Laghman Province observe as an Afghanistan International Air helicopter prepares to land and rescue villagers stranded by flood waters April 1. AIT transported the villagers to the Zangaray Refugee Camp nearby. Coalition forces from Forward Operating Base Mehtar Lam assisted with humanitarian assistance goods and helped coordinate rescue efforts by AIT and U.N. helicopters. (Photo by Air Force Capt. Gerardo Gonzalez).

Kidnapping victim freed

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Army and Multi-National Division Baghdad Soldiers rescued a kidnapped Iraqi man while resuming clearing operations in a southern neighborhood of the Iraqi capital Jan. 18.

Soldiers with the 2nd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army and elements of the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, continued operations to clear and secure the Hadar and surrounding neighborhoods in Baghdad’s Al-Doura district to disrupt insurgent and militia activities.

While searching a house in the area, the joint patrol found a man handcuffed and noticeably tortured in the basement of the residence. The victim claimed he was taken from a local market for selling bread to Americans. In the cellar, the patrol found blood soaked rags, additional signs indicating the area was being used to torture captives.

In addition to the rescued individual, searches in the area also yielded seven caches, seven detainees and the corpses of nine murdered victims. The caches included numerous weapons, grenades, ammunition and improvised explosive device-making materials.

This section of Al-Doura is believed to be a dumping site for the bodies of murdered local nationals. Iraqi police operating in the area were called to remove the dead bodies and take the kidnapping victim to a nearby hospital for medical care.

The on-going operation in the Al-Doura district has resulted in 26 suspected insurgents detained to date, and the recovery of various weapons, ammunitions and bomb-making material.

All seven suspects detained in the operation are being held for further questioning. The weapons and ammunition uncovered have been handed over to explosive ordnance teams for disposal.

These joint efforts continue in Al-Doura to ensure the safety of the local population and improve the security of the community.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT MULTI-NATIONAL DIVISION – BAGHDAD PUBLIC AFFAIRS NCO IN CHARGE, MASTER SGT. DAVID LARSEN BY E-MAIL AT: DAVID.J.LARSEN@US.ARMY.MIL; OR BY PHONE AT COMMERCIAL: (914) 822-8174, OR IRAQNA: 011-964-790-192-4675.

Created at 1/21/2007 10:43 PM by Matthew Hasson.

Proof of a Positive Impact in Gode, Ethiopa

This post has been moved to Rosemary's Thoughts and Rosemary's News and Ideas..

Please follow me over to Rosemary's Thoughts where I am now posting everything at one site.