Live from Afghanistan, it's Saturday night! Or, t_b_f's on the road!

t_b_f, Are you about 3/4 of the way thru your tour?

The Lugs household is thinking of you!

 

I know what she means. There are still minefields on Kandahar Air Field. They have these guys both inside and outside the fence with mine detectors, flimsy face shields and those lead vests you wear when taking a dental x-ray.

It's a surreal scene watching that happen 15 feet from where you're driving.

 

Just a little past 3/4 of the way, actually.

70 days left, to be exact.

But I'm not counting.

I appreciate your thoughts, Lugs. Thanks.

 

As always, stay safe dude.

 

Another interesting read about what 3Bags&Co are up to on our behalf:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/19/world/asia/19delivery.html?_r=1&hp

 

Good read and another fine tribute to our troops. Ending though is kind of galling in that the crew risked their lives for these people and they just walk off.

 

Happens all the time, man. They know and understand our medical rules of eligibility and act accordingly. This summer we were repeatedly reconnoitered by enemy forces via MEDEVAC missions. It's simple. They injure a kid, and they know we're coming. An "uncle" accompanies the child -- normally a daughter -- to the hospital. Many of the escorts were caught timing responses at the LZ, some were caught timing flights. One was even caught filming our approach and tactics. He was promptly secured by friendly forces and, I'm sure, given the scenic tour of some nearby prison.

We actually caught a lot of flak from the medical powers that be about the mission mentioned in the story. The baby turned out to be a normal delivery, not breech as previously thought. She was actually refused at the Afghan hospital here on Kandahar Airfield. CPT Bauer actually had to get out of the helicopter while it was running and help carry the patient into the hospital about 1/4 mile from the hospital landing pad.

She was refused medical care, thus no ambulance arrived to carry her. What are WE supposed to do? Fly her all the way back to Kahkrez (sp?)? Nope. The medical decision makers decided to assign us the mission, but the hospital, which is run by Afghans who are mentored by Americans, refused her because they didn't have any capability to treat the condition, which in reality was little more than any simple surgery. Granted, they have no pediatric capabilities, but they could've delivered the baby.

We were all furious about this one because we were taking heat from the top, but had no other choice but to drop off the patient.

We also have many conflicts with medical decision makers about whether we take patients to the Afghan hospital or ours, which is obviously much better. If our medic says the patient won't make it if we take him/her to the Afghan hospital, we routinely face criticism and pushback. But, when my medic in the back tells me someone isn't gonna make it at one place, I'm left with no option but to fight the battle for my medic and tell higher headquarters I'm going to the NATO hospital (operated by the Navy).

I also understand that if the Afghan hospital community doesn't get the practice it needs to stand on its own two feet, we'll never be able to leave. It's an extremely tough decision that a 25-year old pilot like CPT Bauer is faced with on an almost daily basis.

But, we're making it work. Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. Sometimes it rains.

 

Merry Christmas, folks.

 

Merry Christmas 3 B. Stay safe.

 

God bless, 3 Bags...next year hope you're home with your family. Stay safe and get back soon.

 

Merry Christmas, three_bags. Stay safe.

 

Merry Christmas TBF... stay safe, and again, THANK YOU!