Veterinary Services keep donkeys in the fight

Photo By Staff Sgt. Cooper Cash | U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Eleazar Vizcaino, the operations non-commissioned officer in charge of 358th Medical Detachment Veterinary Services from Sierra Vista, Ariz., removes a shoe from a donkey at Combat Outpost Charkh, Dec. 12.  

COMBAT OUTPOST CHARKH, AFGHANISTAN

12.16.2010

Story by Sgt. Cooper Cash 

Combined Joint Task Force 101

CHARKH, Afghanistan - Due to Charkh’s harsh terrain, soldiers sometimes use donkeys to take much-needed supplies to troops in remote areas.

To keep these essential means of transportation ready, soldiers assigned to 358th Medical Detachment Veterinary Services performed initial check-ups and gave vaccinations to each animal on Combat Outpost Charkh, Dec. 12.

“We are here to support the fighting warriors by ensuring they have healthy pack animals,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Eleazar Vizcaino, the operations noncommissioned officer in charge of the veterinarian services detachment.

Due to limited resources at combat outposts, the overall health of donkeys often degrades.

“We expected the animals to be in bad shape, but the Soldiers here have done a fine job of keeping these animals healthy with the resources available,” said Vizcaino, a Sierra Vista, Ariz., native.

To keep the donkeys healthy and mission capable, U.S. Army Maj. Ted A. Broome, the officer in charge of the veterinarian services clinic on Bagram Airfield, said he is working to get them on a regular preventive health care plan. The veterinarian services Soldiers travel to each location in Regional Command East to evaluate and treat pack animals.

“Of all the donkeys we have seen in theater, these here at Charkh are in the best overall condition,” said Broome, a Gainesville, Fla., native.

The infantrymen at COP Charkh are constantly on the move and rely on efficient means to replenish their soldiers forward.

“Keeping the donkeys healthy will allow us to keep logistical operations going to our observation post and will help on patrols,” said U.S. Army Capt. Bryan J. Harrelson, the executive officer of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division from Lovelady, Texas.

• Date Taken: 12.16.2010
• Date Posted: 12.16.2010 14:03
• Story ID: 62114
• Location: COMBAT OUTPOST CHARKH, AF