Photo By Sgt. Jeff Ledesma | In a Mi-17 helicopter, an Iraqi pilot gets ready to conduct the first Iraqi special...... read more read more
BAGHDAD – The Iraqi special operations forces and their Iraqi air force partners teamed up to conduct their first medical evacuation from the Iraqi capital, March 20.
Flying newly-refurbished Mi-17s, the Iraqi air force pilots transported an Iraqi lieutenant from Baghdad to the Joint Base Balad medical center to undergo surgery.
"Iraqis coming together for this mission means we are going forward to achieve our independence," said an ISOF officer assigned to the Iraqi medical center.
The patient said it made him feel good knowing his ISOF and air force brothers were working together because sooner or later Iraq is going to have to run things on its own.
On April 15, 2008, while driving in the Baghdad area in civilian attire, the ISOF officer was targeted by extremists who fired 7mm rounds in his direction. Although medical personnel were able to remove the round from the side of his neck, his vocal cords remained damaged.
The Iraqi doctor in charge of the lieutenant's case said he worked tirelessly with the U.S. Ear, Nose and Throat specialists to get him on the surgery list.
With everything in place at the Joint-Base Balad medical center, his Iraqi air force comrades were willing to help him get there.
Although he has been described as "a brave man" by others in his unit, the lieutenant admitted he is a little nervous since finding out he was scheduled for surgery.
Nonetheless, when asked if he wanted to be able to sing after the surgery he laughed and jokingly responded, "I can't wait to scream."
After the 30-minute flight to Balad, they touched down and he was off to the emergency room.
Despite the long hours, according to one Iraqi doctor, helping soldiers get well is what he does and he loves it.
| Date Taken: | 03.20.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 03.30.2009 14:52 |
| Story ID: | 31789 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 202 |
| Downloads: | 189 |
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