A living hero

Courtesy Photo | Air Force Capt. Michael Sciortino, a physician assistant adviser with Regional Support Command-North poses with the sign of the conference room named after him Oct. 18. at Camp Mike Spann, Afghanistan. (Photo by 2nd Lt. Gretchen N. McIntyre, RSC-N Financial Readiness Officer)  

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

11.10.2012

Courtesy Story

13th Armored Corps Sustainment Command (13th ESC)

Story by 2nd. Lt. Gretchen N. McIntyre, Regional Support Command-North Financial Readiness Officer

CAMP MIKE SPANN, Afghanistan - When it came time to name the Regional Support Command-North conference room, the command team knew exactly who to pick; one of their very own heroes.

The "Score" conference room was dedicated in honor of Air Force Capt. Michael Sciortino during a short ceremony here Oct. 18. The living hero, who served as a physician assistant mentor with RSC-N during the past six months, was humbled during the surprise unveiling of the new site.

“When I joined the military in 1994, I would never have imagined the team I served with 11 years ago would have had such an impact on this area,” said Sciortino after cutting the ribbon to open the facility.

Col. Ted E. Donnelly, RSC-N commander, pointed out that Sciortino’s presence in the area represents the full spectrum of the war in Afghanistan. For the past few months, Sciortino mentored the 303rd Afghan Uniformed Police and the 5th Zone Afghan Border Police Surgeons. However, this was not his first tour to Afghanistan.

Eleven years ago, then Staff Sgt. Sciortino rode to Mazar-i-Sharif via horseback with the rest of his rapid reaction force team with one mission in mind: free the city of Mazar-i-Sharif alongside their Northern Alliance counterparts from the Taliban control. The first obstacle the team faced was a prisoner uprising in the Qala-I Jangi fortress.

“As we made our way to the fort in our unarmored pickup trucks, I was able to hear the loud explosions for miles,” started Sciortino. “You could hear the bullets whistling overhead and random explosions could be seen from mortar rounds landing along the northern wall that surrounded the fort.”

It wasn’t too long before Sciortino was in the heat of battle and looked death in the face, literally.

“A 2,000-pound bomb landed 20 to 30 feet behind us,” said Sciortino. “The bomb blasted through the 30-foot-high brick and mud wall and knocked us off the wall.”

The wayward bomb left one team member unconscious and Sciortino with two blown eardrums, facial burns and random bumps and bruises. Fortunately, everyone made it out alive and young Sciortino became the first airman to be awarded the Purple Heart in Operation Enduring Freedom.

“When I look back, it was an honor to serve with fellow warriors and I am grateful to have played a part in that mission,” said Sciortino.

The captain went on to explain how the near-death experience showed him how short life is, how important it is that he makes good decisions, to not take anything too seriously and to appreciate the moments of life that should be enjoyed.

Moments like finding out he would be returning to Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan.

“I never thought, of all the places in Afghanistan, that I would be back to an area, less than a mile away from the Qala-I Jangi fortress,” said Sciortino.

To top it off, the camp Sciortino went to was named after CIA Agent Mike Spann, who was killed during the prisoner revolt 11 years prior.

“Visiting the fort over the last couple of months has been surreal. It seems like so long ago but certain details are still so vivid,” finished Sciortino.

While the memories are still fresh, the differences Sciortino noted from his first deployment to this one are extraordinary.

“When I was here for the first time in 2001, there really were no Afghan National Army or Afghan National Police, and I do not remember rank structure,” said Sciortino. “They have definitely made great strides but they still have a long way to go to ensure the security of their people.”

Although the country of Afghanistan faced many obstacles over the past decade, Sciortino saw his fair share of challenges. The cost of the war has been significant, to include losing fellow teammates and seeing the results of the war from a medical provider’s viewpoint.

“My hope is that the sacrifices made by our military will translate into a dominant force for good in this region as well as for the United States in its global war on terrorism,” said Sciortino.

As for now, Sciortino is returning back to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio to continue working as a primary care provider. But, there’s still no telling if he’ll get another set of orders sending him back to Afghanistan to continue the fight for freedom.

• Date Taken: 11.10.2012
• Date Posted: 11.10.2012 02:06
• Story ID: 97596
• Location: KABUL, AF