KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — The soldiers of the 572nd Mobility Augmentation Company (SPARTANS), 8th Engineer Battalion, are responsible for one thing: making the roads safe; safe for Afghan civilians and coalition forces operating in the area.
While most soldiers who patrol the roads are trying to avoid improvised explosive devices (IEDs), these Soldiers do all they can to get to them first. They plan deliberately to close with these devices in order to neutralize them before they can hurt others. That requires a lot of time on the road but we are committed to helping Afghan people and demonstrating that we are here to help. Sometimes keeping the roads safe means partnering with the local Afghan National Police to respond to civilian traffic accidents and other emergencies.
On the afternoon of Jan. 6, first platoon, 572nd Mobility Augmentation Company, was conducting route clearance operations when they came across a civilian traffic accident involving 10 Kandaharians. Even though they were on a time-sensitive mission, they couldn’t help but remember that ultimately we are here to help the local people and stopped to offer assistance.
Every patrol rolls out with a combat medic, and in this case it was Staff Sgt. Daniel Gonzales of Fort Hood, Texas. The senior combat medic assessed the locals involved in the accident and determined that three of the 10 required medical attention. He was able to effectively communicate with the wounded through an interpreter who routinely rolls out with the platoon while the other soldiers pulled security. Gonzales treated the patients, cleaning and bandaging cuts until Afghan security forces could arrive then it was back on to the primary mission; back on the road to hunt IEDs and the cowards that employ them.
It’s opportunities like this where soldiers are proud to demonstrate not just the skills but the values of the United States. We thank these Soldiers of the Trojan Horse Battalion for their selfless service and commend them for sacrificing their safety to provide assistance to a civilian traffic accident. They are truly men of uncommon valor.
| Date Taken: | 02.04.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 02.05.2011 11:09 |
| Story ID: | 64875 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR, AF |
| Web Views: | 157 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Spartans Clear the Path of IEDs, by 1LT Ashley Pflug, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
