FET visits women's prison

GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Navy Petty Officer Mary Holcomb, from east Texas, assigned to the Ghazni Provincial Reconstruction Team, Task Force White Eagle, holds a toddler while listening to the mother during an Aug. 18 Female Engagement Team visit to a women’s prison in Ghazni. The team evaluated the living standards and access to legal services. They confirmed both the female Provincial Council member and the Department of Women Affairs were engaged with the women at the prison. (Photo by U.S. Army 1st Lt. Rebekah Frost, Agricultural Development Team)

 

FOB donates blood, saves life

GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Navy Lt. j.g. Reynaldo Reyes, physician assistant from San Diego, Calif., assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Ghazni, Task Force White Eagle, sticks a needle into the arm of U.S. Army Spc. Jorge Enriquez, machine gunner from Rockland, Mass., assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Ghazni, Task Force White Eagle, during whole blood drive Aug. 17, at Forward Operating Base Ghazni, Afghanistan. The base asked all A positive blood members to donate blood for a surgical patient. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Darnell T. Cannady, Ghazni Provincial Reconstruction Team Public Affairs)

GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Army Spc. Hector Lara, combat medic from Pasadena, Calif., sticks a needle into the arm of a blood donor during whole blood drive Aug. 17, at Forward Operating Base Ghazni, Afghanistan. The base asked all A positive blood members to donate blood for a surgical patient. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Darnell T. Cannady, Ghazni Provincial Reconstruction Team Public Affairs)

GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan - For the Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen on Forward Operating Base Ghazni, Aug 17 began with an e-mail, or knock on the door, saying someone needs A positive blood, go to the provincial reconstruction team’s area immediately.

For the patient, it began when he was shot in the abdomen between his protective plates.  The bullet damaged his small bowel, right kidney, inferior vena cava, and large bowel.  He was put on a medevac to FOB Ghazni’s foward surgical team.

Once in the operating room, the surgical team realized the patient needed whole blood, and put out the call for whole blood donors.

“Whole blood is only good for 24-hours, so we can’t store it,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Rewa Price, from Harrisburg, Pa. assigned to FST, Task Force White Eagle, noncommissioned officer-in-charge of advanced trauma.  “We only initiate the whole blood drive when we need it.”

FOB Ghazni has a “walking blood bank” – 186 Americans who have been pre-screened for blood donation, ready to donate when asked.

In fact, according to U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Megan Cotter, from Staten Island, N.Y. assigned to FST, Task Force White Eagle, NCOIC of blood bank and laboratory, the surgical team was able to give the first unit of whole blood within 30 minutes of the patient arriving in the operating room.

“It was pretty quick,” she said. “We had donors within 10 minutes of making the call.”

The whole blood is important, because, though they gave the patient 10 units of packed red blood cells, 10 units of fresh frozen plasma and factor 7, they have no platelets at the FST.

“We need the whole blood because it has every component to save life,” said Price. “When you’re bleeding, you’re bleeding whole blood.  That’s why it’s the best thing to replenish the patient with. You can instantly see it in the patient’s vital signs.”

During the blood drive, medical personnel from throughout the FOB collected 26 units of whole blood, 14 of which were given to the patient in the operating room.

“We essentially replenished his entire blood supply, saving his life,” said Price. “Additionally, we always collect extra units in case we need to infuse the patient with more blood. We also send it to [Bagram Air Base] with the patient in case they need it.”

The blood was donated by 26 servicemembers from almost every unit on the base, with tens still waiting outside to donate if needed.

“There is no doubt the blood drive saved his life,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Gregory Stuart, from Travis Air Force Base, Calif. assigned to FST, Task Force White Eagle, operating room NCOIC, who assisted with the surgery.

Ghazni Spartans receive medals

 Lt. Omundson receives the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal

SFC Leon receives the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal

Gen. Allen visits Ghazni, listens to leaders

GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Marine Gen. John Allen, International Security Assistance Force commander, listens to Ghazni Provincial Gov. Musa Khan during his visit to the province Aug. 15, at the Ghazni Governor Office. During this meeting the governor told the general what support was needed in his area including help with illiteracy, employment and security. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Darnell T. Cannady, Ghazni Provincial Reconstruction Team Public Affairs)

 

On Alert

GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Army Spc. John O’Donovan, gunner from Brookfield, Conn., assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Ghazni, Task Force White Eagle, provides security of the perimeter from the turret Aug. 15, at Ghazni, Afghanistan. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Darnell T. Cannady, Ghazni Provincial Reconstruction Team Public Affairs)

Prepping the vehicles

GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Army Pfc. Zachary Darosa, gunner from Columbia, S.C., assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Ghazni, Task Force White Eagle, empties the transmission fluid from the panel Aug. 1, at Forward Operating Base Ghazni, Afghanistan. Changing the transmission fluids and filters ensures the truck is ready for missions. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Darnell T. Cannady, Ghazni Provincial Reconstruction Team Public Affairs)

3rd Squad Completes Stress Shoot

GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Army Spc. Roger Pilat, infantry member from Dedham, Mass., assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Ghazni, Task Force White Eagle, pulls himself up for a pull-up while wearing full body armor during the combat stress firing course Aug. 3, at Forward Operating Base Ghazni, Afghanistan. This course consists of six mission oriented events that gives the member the feel of operating under stress. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Darnell T. Cannady, Ghazni Provincial Reconstruction Team Public Affairs)

GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Army Sgt. Jay McCarthy, team leader from Nantucket, Mass., assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Ghazni, Task Force White Eagle, and U.S. Army Spc. Robert Eisenhauer, infantry member from Franklin, Mass., assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Ghazni, Task Force White Eagle, pull a sled filled with sandbags during the combat stress firing course Aug. 3, at Forward Operating Base Ghazni, Afghanistan. The sandbags weight was similar to the average weight of a soldier and gave the members the feeling of pulling an injured member out of the battlefield. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Darnell T. Cannady, Ghazni Provincial Reconstruction Team Public Affairs)

GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Andrew Beerntsen, civil affairs member from Green Bay, Wis., assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Ghazni, Task Force White Eagle, and U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Lewis, logistics support from Atlantic City, N.J., assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Ghazni, Task Force White Eagle, rolls a tire during the combat stress firing course July 13, at Forward Operating Base Ghazni, Afghanistan. This course consists of six mission oriented events that gives the members the feel of operating under stress. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Darnell T. Cannady, Ghazni Provincial Reconstruction Team Public Affairs)

GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Army Pvt.  Zachary Darosa, infantry member from Acushnet, Mass., assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Ghazni, Task Force White Eagle, and U.S. Army Spc. Randy Demand, infantry member from Salisbury, Mass., assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Ghazni, Task Force White Eagle, carry 50 cal ammunition boxes during the combat stress firing course Aug. 3, at Forward Operating Base Ghazni, Afghanistan. This course consists of six mission oriented events that gives the members the feel of operating under stress. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Darnell T. Cannady, Ghazni Provincial Reconstruction Team Public Affairs)

Helping Afghans heal

GHAZNI PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN – U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Julia Ceron, a corpsman from St. Petersburg Fla., assigned to Ghazni Provincial Reconstruction Team, Task Force White Eagle applies antibiotic ointment and put clean bandages on a young Afghan’s wound during a recent mission in Ghazni City. While in the local community, provincial reconstruction team Soldiers and Sailors reach out to locals to encourage positive relationships with villagers. (Photo by U.S. Army Spc. Jorge Enriquez, Ghazni Provincial Reconstruction Team)

PRT Ghazni starts District Stability Team in Deh Yak

GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Deh Yak and PRT leadership meet and talk about the situation in the district.

GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan - In an effort to begin the emersion of U.S. State Department personnel, who will soon be based out of a combat outpost, Provincial Reconstruction Team Ghazni met with Deh Yak leaders July 18, 2011.

During the trip, they also positioned two U.S. State Department personnel at the COP in an effort to begin a more permanent civilian mentorship in Deh Yak district.

“We are starting a district support team,” said Dominick Aponte, State Department Team Lead.  “It is a smaller version of a PRT, but we are able to work more closely with the district governor.  Where the main PRT can only get out [to the district center] once or twice a month, because I’m so close, I’ll be able to get [to the district center] once or twice a week.”

Though Aponte is the first to call the Deh Yak COP home, he is expecting two more State Department representatives to complete the team.

“Our mission is growing on the civilian side,” said Stetson Sanders, State Department PRT Senior Civilian Representative. “He is the first of the civilian surge.”

Districts throughout Afghanistan have been identified for district support teams, but Deh Yak is the first district in Ghazni to get one. According to Aponte, it was selected for several reasons.

“First, it has a functioning government,” said Aponte. “Security, while not ideal, is better than a lot of places.”

It is also ideal because Deh Yak was also selected to be visited by the Independent Directorate of Local Governance.  The IDLG will assess the local government, and provide recommendations to improve service delivery.  Both the IDLG and the district stability team will be able to work with the governor on the recommendations.

“This is another example of how the U.S. and international civilian presence is growing as the U.S. military is drawing down,” said U.S. Navy Cmdr. Tristan Rizzi, PRT Ghazni commander from St. Petersburg, Fla.  “We are committed to the future of Afghanistan.”

2nd Squad completes stress shoot

Ghazni Province, AFGHANISTAN – U.S. Navy Chief James Emerick and U.S. Army Pvt Evan Geisler, pull a weighed sled during the stress shoot.  The timed event is designed to train Spartans to work in high altitude environment.

Ghazni Province, AFGHANISTAN – U.S. Army Spc. George Enriquez completes a pull up in full combat gear.  In addition to physical fitness, the event tests Spartans ability to work in their gear.

Ghazni Province, AFGHANISTAN –  U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Randy Dull fires at target at the end of the stress shoot.  Each shot missed ended up in a time penalty for the team.

Ghazni Province, AFGHANISTAN – U.S. Navy Chief Timothy Daugherty and U.S. Army Spc. Troy Paider drag a weighted sled after completing five pull ups each in full combat gear.  The team also carried full ammo cans, flipped a tactical vehicle tire before shooting at the rifle range.

Ghazni Province, AFGHANISTAN – U.S. Army Sgt. Dennis Magnasco and Sgt. Paul Cruwys complete pull ups during the beginning of the stress shoot.

Soldiers interact with local children

GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Army Sgt. Dennis Magnasco, a provincial reconstruction team medic from Boston, Mass., assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Ghazni, Task Force White Eagle, helps local Afghan children with their English homework during a recent mission.  While dismounted, a local child brought Magnasco his English school book and began reviewing the book with the soldier.  Soldiers from Provincial Reconstruction Team Ghazni often have the opportunity to interact with local children during missions.(Photo by U.S. Army Spc. Whitney Hyde, Ghazni Provincial Reconstruction Team)