Helmet protects Soldier from shot to head

Photo By Master Sgt. Sheryl Lawry | Capt. John McFarlin, logistics advisor for 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division Military Transition Team, proudly wears the Army Combat Helmet that saved his life during an insurgent attack near Buhriz, Iraq. McFarlin, a DeGraff, Ohio, native, was briefly knocked down by the AK-47 shot, but he quickly stood back up and returned fire.  

BUHRIZ, IRAQ

05.02.2006

Courtesy Story

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BUHRIZ, Iraq - Testament to the life-saving ability of gear that is mandated for Soldiers to wear " Capt. John McFarlin owes his life to the Army Combat Helmet.

As McFarlin's unit, the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of Brothers" Military Transition Team who oversees the 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division, responded to attacks on an Iraqi police station in Buhriz, he was hit in the helmet with a shot from an AK-47. He was knocked down from his position in the turret briefly, but quickly manned his weapon system to return fire on the assailants.

"I was suppressed for a moment and then I got back up," he said. "What I thought was that I needed to get down and I need to peek up and find a way to get some suppressive fire back down on the enemy."

Even a day after the attack, while McFarlin was still sporting the damaged helmet, he appears as unaffected now as he must have been when he had a brush with death.

"I knew that I was still awake, I was still alive, I didn't feel any pain," he said about his reaction.

While some see the gear Soldiers are required to wear as cumbersome, McFarlin touts the life-saving ability of which he now has first-hand knowledge.

"Things are going to happen," he said. "You've got your equipment: you've got your IBAS, you've got your Kevlar and you've got your eye pro. (You need to) offer as little target as you need while doing your job."

• Date Taken: 05.02.2006
• Date Posted: 05.02.2006 08:59
• Story ID: 6207
• Location: BUHRIZ, IQ