All photo’s and Website © 2012 JimSpiri.com, All Rights Reserved
March 12, 2012…Forward Operating Base
Edinburgh, Helmand province, Afghanistan…
Monday. Sky is very clear. Air is cool and the
moon is still up in the morning. After an ugly day
weather wise yesterday, today looks to be
exquisite. I was up early and took a hot shower
while most on the FOB were asleep. We were all
up late last night doing things to prepare for the
following day. Everyone was in a good spirits and
awaiting the beginning of the NCAA basketball
tournament. New Mexico has two teams in the
bracket which should lend itself to great
competition. Folks here are preparing daily for
the long arduous task of redeploying. It seems it
is easier to arrive rather than to depart.
Yesterday, around 5:00 PM in the afternoon, a call
came in over the system for medevac. Weather
had been really ugly and still at that time, it was
not great. As more information came over the
comms, it became clear whom we were going to
pick up. Two bad guys had been caught in the
act, planting IED's on a road not so far from here
where the Marines were working. It is in a rural
area, as is everywhere out here that I've seen.
What happened was that the two bad guys were
seen from above planting an IED and in short
order, a hell-fire missile was sent to them directly to eliminate their progress. One bad guy was blown to bits. Only pieces of
him could be located. The other bad guy became our patient. Another mission on a dicey weather day to pick up an enemy who
just a few minutes earlier had been the target of literally all hell breaking loose at his "work site". Once again, the seemingly
limitless resources of the Americans are employed to now medically save the life of this bad guy that we had just moments
earlier tried to blow to smithereens.
Strange system….
In any event, medevac birds were launched and we would be on scene in less than 15-minutes. I would have a familiar crew with
me which consisted of Warrant Officers, Medina and Sena as the pilots as well as Sgt's Weiger (SEE PICTURE 1) and Bowling (SEE
PICTURE 2) as crew chief and medic respectively. I have come to know these guys more and more lately and I feel pretty much
part of the crew now. In addition to them we had accompanying us a flight nurse with extensive medical combat experience in
previous war zones, Capt. Kraus. He is a valuable asset to the mission and has just returned to flight status. So, there would be
six of us. Two pilots, one crew chief, one medic, one flight nurse and one hitch-hiker from New Mexico, "me".
As we flew nearer to the POI, I could see two different colors of smoke marking the LZ. It would be near a road where traffic was
backed up a bit. Just a few vehicles on either side. Again, it is a rural area. Marines had secured the LZ but in these type of
situations, secondary explosions are always a threat as well as ambushes. Upon landing to pick up the injured bad guy, both the
crew chief and medic prepared to exit the aircraft. (SEE PICTURE 3) Both had their weapons at the ready as we landed. Weiger
exited via the window and assisted in security. Bowling exited via the door and assisted the litter crew bearing the injured bad
guy. Kraus prepared the work area inside the helicopter to receive the patient. I got my camera ready.
As the patient was brought in, he looked really dirty. Seems like he had been playing in the dirt for a long time. The dark
blackened color on his skin was burned flesh. He had a dark beard and was pretty much blind folded. He was now considered
and EPW, enemy prisoner of war. Once in the aircraft I began looking over his body. He was a mess. His left knee was basically
outside of his leg. His right shin was akin to something that had been put through a meat grinder. Some of his fingers were
missing and he had blood all over his body. He was awake and actually was rather combative in the aircraft. There wasn't much
he could do except sit still and shut up and let the soldiers save his life. Caution These Pictures are Graphic! (SEE PICTURE 4) (SEE
PICTURE 5) (SEE PICTURE 6)
Both the medic and nurse did their thing. (SEE PICTURE 7)
I took photos best I could through the vibration of the helicopter. Each time I take photos I critique myself in hopes of doing
better next time….and next time…and next time. I seem to never get it exactly right. I remember a long time ago when I first
picked up the camera and began photographing in El Salvador back in the 80's, hearing that one would spend his entire life
trying to get that one photo that works just right. I remember thinking I would not have to wait so long and it could be done in a
week or so, if done properly. A quarter century later, I am still looking for that one photo that I thought would take a week or
less to find. Silly me.
The aircraft now headed to the big base where first rate medical attention would be rendered once again to this "patient". We
landed, the medical crews there took the patient and soon we were headed back to the FOB. I thought back on what I had just
seen before my eyes. Not necessarily the blood and guts of what a hell fire missile will do to a human being, but how the medic
and crew chief entered into another combat LZ to retrieve a patient, that actually was an EPW.
No one ever knows what awaits them at an LZ. These guys are not only professional medical personnel, but they are also
soldiers that will make sure to eliminate any threat that comes across their paths. It is important to me to convey that it's plenty
hard enough to maintain a helicopter, fly a helicopter, care for a patient whether good guy or bad guy, but add to the mix the
matter of assisting in securing an LZ and defending that position at the same time, and you've got one heck of a good bunch of
folks shuttling you around the war zone in their helicopters. This does not go unnoticed by me. It is exactly why I am writing
this story today and why I am here documenting what my fellow New Mexicans as well as other patriots from other states are
doing over here in the war zone.
It is history. And it is real.
I peered out the window on the way home and saw the sun setting and the chase helicopter just within what seemed an arm's
reach. It was a good site. Here they would say, "just another day at the office". If I had known there were offices like this in the
working world, I may have applied for an "office job".
That evening the folks here kind of chilled out for long
time. Some watched movies, some took care of reloading
their supplies, others began coordinating things for the
upcoming redeployment and others participated in a group
game of cards, all in fun where peanuts and crackers were
the choice of wagers. I made my way back to my "condo"
where I spoke with SSGT Jason Bowen who was manning
five computers and updating all kinds of things for
maintenance on the birds. His work is seemingly never
ending but he does like to stay on top of his game. His
commander, Major Holland told me that Bowen is one of
the main reasons the mission here has been a success. "He
never stops working", Major Holland said. I told the Major
that I had noticed that from the get-go upon my arrival
here. I told the Major that the only way someone could
work this hard, this long for a year at a time in the war
zone is because he must love his job.
That is what I see here. Friends and neighbors of mine
doing a job they actually love to do for one another. No
matter whether they are tending to fellow Americans or
treating EPW's, all of them are just working for and because
of one another. This is what folks from the New Mexico
National Guard have been doing for nearly the past year while the
rest of the state has been arguing with one another over whether or
not to give illegal aliens legal drivers licenses or not.
Sometimes I think the New Mexico State Legislature members ought
to get off their own posterior ends and come and see what real
people do in real life situations. But that may not happen until there
is a cold day in hell. In the mean time, another hell fire missile will
be searching out more bad guys. And should some of them survive
the hunt, members of "dust off" from New Mexico, will pick 'em up
and bring 'em to the finest medical attention this war has to offer.
Just another duty day at the office for the crew here at FOB
Edinburgh.
Jim Spiri
jimspiri@yahoo.com
Edinburgh, Helmand province, Afghanistan…
Monday. Sky is very clear. Air is cool and the
moon is still up in the morning. After an ugly day
weather wise yesterday, today looks to be
exquisite. I was up early and took a hot shower
while most on the FOB were asleep. We were all
up late last night doing things to prepare for the
following day. Everyone was in a good spirits and
awaiting the beginning of the NCAA basketball
tournament. New Mexico has two teams in the
bracket which should lend itself to great
competition. Folks here are preparing daily for
the long arduous task of redeploying. It seems it
is easier to arrive rather than to depart.
Yesterday, around 5:00 PM in the afternoon, a call
came in over the system for medevac. Weather
had been really ugly and still at that time, it was
not great. As more information came over the
comms, it became clear whom we were going to
pick up. Two bad guys had been caught in the
act, planting IED's on a road not so far from here
where the Marines were working. It is in a rural
area, as is everywhere out here that I've seen.
What happened was that the two bad guys were
seen from above planting an IED and in short
order, a hell-fire missile was sent to them directly to eliminate their progress. One bad guy was blown to bits. Only pieces of
him could be located. The other bad guy became our patient. Another mission on a dicey weather day to pick up an enemy who
just a few minutes earlier had been the target of literally all hell breaking loose at his "work site". Once again, the seemingly
limitless resources of the Americans are employed to now medically save the life of this bad guy that we had just moments
earlier tried to blow to smithereens.
Strange system….
In any event, medevac birds were launched and we would be on scene in less than 15-minutes. I would have a familiar crew with
me which consisted of Warrant Officers, Medina and Sena as the pilots as well as Sgt's Weiger (SEE PICTURE 1) and Bowling (SEE
PICTURE 2) as crew chief and medic respectively. I have come to know these guys more and more lately and I feel pretty much
part of the crew now. In addition to them we had accompanying us a flight nurse with extensive medical combat experience in
previous war zones, Capt. Kraus. He is a valuable asset to the mission and has just returned to flight status. So, there would be
six of us. Two pilots, one crew chief, one medic, one flight nurse and one hitch-hiker from New Mexico, "me".
As we flew nearer to the POI, I could see two different colors of smoke marking the LZ. It would be near a road where traffic was
backed up a bit. Just a few vehicles on either side. Again, it is a rural area. Marines had secured the LZ but in these type of
situations, secondary explosions are always a threat as well as ambushes. Upon landing to pick up the injured bad guy, both the
crew chief and medic prepared to exit the aircraft. (SEE PICTURE 3) Both had their weapons at the ready as we landed. Weiger
exited via the window and assisted in security. Bowling exited via the door and assisted the litter crew bearing the injured bad
guy. Kraus prepared the work area inside the helicopter to receive the patient. I got my camera ready.
As the patient was brought in, he looked really dirty. Seems like he had been playing in the dirt for a long time. The dark
blackened color on his skin was burned flesh. He had a dark beard and was pretty much blind folded. He was now considered
and EPW, enemy prisoner of war. Once in the aircraft I began looking over his body. He was a mess. His left knee was basically
outside of his leg. His right shin was akin to something that had been put through a meat grinder. Some of his fingers were
missing and he had blood all over his body. He was awake and actually was rather combative in the aircraft. There wasn't much
he could do except sit still and shut up and let the soldiers save his life. Caution These Pictures are Graphic! (SEE PICTURE 4) (SEE
PICTURE 5) (SEE PICTURE 6)
Both the medic and nurse did their thing. (SEE PICTURE 7)
I took photos best I could through the vibration of the helicopter. Each time I take photos I critique myself in hopes of doing
better next time….and next time…and next time. I seem to never get it exactly right. I remember a long time ago when I first
picked up the camera and began photographing in El Salvador back in the 80's, hearing that one would spend his entire life
trying to get that one photo that works just right. I remember thinking I would not have to wait so long and it could be done in a
week or so, if done properly. A quarter century later, I am still looking for that one photo that I thought would take a week or
less to find. Silly me.
The aircraft now headed to the big base where first rate medical attention would be rendered once again to this "patient". We
landed, the medical crews there took the patient and soon we were headed back to the FOB. I thought back on what I had just
seen before my eyes. Not necessarily the blood and guts of what a hell fire missile will do to a human being, but how the medic
and crew chief entered into another combat LZ to retrieve a patient, that actually was an EPW.
No one ever knows what awaits them at an LZ. These guys are not only professional medical personnel, but they are also
soldiers that will make sure to eliminate any threat that comes across their paths. It is important to me to convey that it's plenty
hard enough to maintain a helicopter, fly a helicopter, care for a patient whether good guy or bad guy, but add to the mix the
matter of assisting in securing an LZ and defending that position at the same time, and you've got one heck of a good bunch of
folks shuttling you around the war zone in their helicopters. This does not go unnoticed by me. It is exactly why I am writing
this story today and why I am here documenting what my fellow New Mexicans as well as other patriots from other states are
doing over here in the war zone.
It is history. And it is real.
I peered out the window on the way home and saw the sun setting and the chase helicopter just within what seemed an arm's
reach. It was a good site. Here they would say, "just another day at the office". If I had known there were offices like this in the
working world, I may have applied for an "office job".
That evening the folks here kind of chilled out for long
time. Some watched movies, some took care of reloading
their supplies, others began coordinating things for the
upcoming redeployment and others participated in a group
game of cards, all in fun where peanuts and crackers were
the choice of wagers. I made my way back to my "condo"
where I spoke with SSGT Jason Bowen who was manning
five computers and updating all kinds of things for
maintenance on the birds. His work is seemingly never
ending but he does like to stay on top of his game. His
commander, Major Holland told me that Bowen is one of
the main reasons the mission here has been a success. "He
never stops working", Major Holland said. I told the Major
that I had noticed that from the get-go upon my arrival
here. I told the Major that the only way someone could
work this hard, this long for a year at a time in the war
zone is because he must love his job.
That is what I see here. Friends and neighbors of mine
doing a job they actually love to do for one another. No
matter whether they are tending to fellow Americans or
treating EPW's, all of them are just working for and because
of one another. This is what folks from the New Mexico
National Guard have been doing for nearly the past year while the
rest of the state has been arguing with one another over whether or
not to give illegal aliens legal drivers licenses or not.
Sometimes I think the New Mexico State Legislature members ought
to get off their own posterior ends and come and see what real
people do in real life situations. But that may not happen until there
is a cold day in hell. In the mean time, another hell fire missile will
be searching out more bad guys. And should some of them survive
the hunt, members of "dust off" from New Mexico, will pick 'em up
and bring 'em to the finest medical attention this war has to offer.
Just another duty day at the office for the crew here at FOB
Edinburgh.
Jim Spiri
jimspiri@yahoo.com
TEN YEARS LATER
#14 Crew Duties
Sgt Brian Bowling, a medic with the NM Guard, has his
weapon on the ready as we prepare to arrive at the LZ
Pilots, W2 Carlos Sena, (L) and W2 Mario Medina (R) are
seen here as helicopter is dropping off patient.
Sgt Brian Bowling is seen here on the way back to the
FOB after completing mission.
The New Mexico Zia sun
symbol...patch of the NM Guard
The sunset on the way home
Sgt Ian Weiger, crew chief from the NM Guard, assists in securing the LZ as
medevac helicopter picks up patient
Photos by Jim Spiri, SPIRI FREELANCE, March 11, 2012, Helmand
province, Afghanistan
Sgt Brian Bowling, medic, is seen assisting Marine in carrying litter bearing EPW that was
hit with hell fire missile.
Photos by Jim Spiri, SPIRI FREELANCE, March 11, 2012, Helmand province, Afghanistan
Enemy prisoner of war seen struggling upon being given medical treatment in helicopter.
EPW was caught planting IED and survived being hit with missile.
Photos by Jim Spiri, SPIRI FREELANCE, March 11, 2012, Helmand province, Afghanistan
EPW seen here on floor of helicopter
Photos by Jim Spiri, SPIRI FREELANCE, March 11, 2012, Helmand province, Afghanistan
EPW's left knee cap seen here having sustained severe injuries after being found planting
IED
Photos by Jim Spiri, SPIRI FREELANCE, March 11, 2012, Helmand province, Afghanistan
EPW's right shin.
Photos by Jim Spiri, SPIRI FREELANCE, March 11, 2012, Helmand province, Afghanistan
Sgt Brian Bowling seen here tendering medical treatment to injured EPW.
Photos by Jim Spiri, SPIRI FREELANCE, March 11, 2012, Helmand
province, Afghanistan
