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Burn Victims Rushed to Mosul

Aug- 4-2006 » Filed Under: TF Band of Brothers

by Spc. L.C. Campbell, 138th MPAD

MOSUL, Iraq – The tranquil atmosphere of the 47th Combat Support Hospital at Forward Operating Base Diamondback, Mosul, Iraq, was shaken to life by the blast of an improvised explosive device that detonated just outside Tikrit, Iraq, in the early hours of morning Aug. 1.

At approximately 2:30 a.m. in Salah Ad Din Province, an Iraqi Army convoy was heading from Al Kisik to Taji when a bus full of IA Soldiers was hit by an IED. There were 17 deaths from the blast and 27 Soldiers were injured. Ten of those Soldiers were air lifted to the 47th CSH.

“Initially I felt disappointed, because I know that the IA Soldiers have been targeted more frequently,” said Col. James Polo, commander, 47th CSH. “It is very hard for some of those Soldiers to go back to there jobs because it feels like they are not making any head way and right now there is a lot of insurgent activity going on.”

According to Capt. Christopher J. Washack, public affairs representative, 47th CSH, the medical team was well prepared due to the advanced notice from FOB Speicher.

“I felt relieved that that we were able to come together and help these Soldiers,” said Polo. “As the commander it re-emphasizes the idea that we are a unit and we have to work together.”

According to Polo, this type of IED was very intense causing a lot of damage. The 47th CSH received all burn victims; there were no broken bones or shrapnel wounds. Burn victims are very resource intensive. People that suffer from burn wounds tend to heal very slowly. The Iraqi medical system has a hard time treating these types of patients due to the lack of resources and sanitation.

“Soldiers of any nation are always willing to serve for their countries purpose, the Iraqis are no different,” said Polo. “One of the things that Soldiers rely on is that if they are hurt in the line of duty that there is someone there to care for them. For us it is a tremendous honor to help the Iraqi Soldiers fight for what they believe in; their country.”

(via DVIDS)


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