Well, I have served my year in Afghanistan, first at Camp Phoenix, then at a Special Op's FOB, just West of Kabul, located near the mountains. I cannot name the FOB, due to OPSEC. But it was a very interesting deployment. I almost became acasualty, during an R&R stop over on Father's Day, 21 June, 2009, at Baghram Air Force Base. I was 30 yards from an impact site when we were attacked with Rocket Fire by the Taliban. Where I was standing, in Camp Dragon, 1 soldier, SGT Jones, was killed as he slept in his bunk, and 2 civilian contractors were wounded. SGT Jones never knew what hit him. The worst part of the engagement was that no officer or senior NCO knew what to do, and myself, another SGT, and the KBR Billeting manager for Phoenix, all had to tackle his poor spouse, who was there at Bghram, serving with him. We actually had to tackle the poor woman, who was hysterical, in order to keep her from entering her husband's B-Hut. If I were in her shoes I'd want to do the same thing...........................But if I had a friend, he'd keep me from going inside the building, no matter what it would take. He'd keep me there. with us, outside. We had a heavy struggle with her.I, personally, saw SGT Jones, laying mortally wounded. And it is a sight I will not soon forget. We was declared dead at the scene, around 0350 hours, or somewhere around there. The scene was sheer pandimonium. And you could smell explosive residue in the air, aven two hours after the attack. A second rocket hit the B-Hut immediately next to SGT Jones's residence. Two civilian contractors were wounded by shrapnel fragments in the thighs, legs and arms. But they are ok, Thank God.
I had to secure the scene, as no one else did, or would, take over the scene, and direct rescue and recovery personnel into the area. I had to keep all non-essential personnel out of the area until it was declared secured. That included many officers and senior NCO's. I've seen people killed before, and I have had to terminate some myself. But I've never witnessed one of my own get his head almost blown off, during an engagement. I haven't really slept much after the attack, thinking about the scene, and still being on edge ever since the attack. I have been recommended for a CIB, for my actions that morning. The attack took place around 0200 hours, and I had to stay there, in charge of the scene, until around 0400 hours. It is in my sthoughts, still today.
I will write more later. I am now on my way back home, to the U.S.
Posted at: 11:21 AM | Add Comment
