FaST Surgeon (in Afghanistan)

Happy New Year - The 909th Is CONUS!

noreply@blogger.com (FaST Surgeon) — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 20:27:00 +0000

909th FST with 1st group of PROFIS

THIS IS IT!!! THE 909th HAS ARRIVED STATESIDE!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

This also marks the final posting of FaST Surgeon (as promised). Below are just a few shots... some from SSG P ... one from CPT J and one last one from me.

909th at Bagram

The 909th didn't get to depart straight home from FOB Shank... no... they had to endure a long journey. First they went to Bagram and stayed at their luxury suites.

SSG P with SPC N (Codename Kato)

They had some time to spend together .. enjoying the fact that they no longer had to answer to the thumping sound of MedEvacs arriving.

CPT A

CPT A got time to sit and Facebook :)

CPT M

CPT M .. I'm sure took the time to prepare arduous lesson plans for his students back home :)

SPC D (Codename DelFlo)

DelFlo... had time to be DelFlo :)

909th at Bagram

The above photo reminds me that everything you have... you have to carry. AND IT'S A LOT OF STUFF.

Manas, Kyrgyzstan

They finally left Bagram and arrived in Manas, Kyrgyzstan for another long lay-over. But the accommodations were reportedly somewhat better than in BAF.

As of this writing.. I see that the team has been stateside for at least the last 6 hours. I couldn't be happier... knowing that they won't have to be in a place that needs guard towers - like in the photo below.

Guard Tower, FOB Shank (guarding against a pack of wild goats?)

Airborne Hill, FOB Shank

I wish I could have put together something ... I dunno... cooler? better? Something for a last post that really would be timely and meaningful. But guess what. This is life. One chapter closes. Another opens. CPT J's image of a sunset will just have to do. It's a great closing shot. He has told me that he will publish a video for the team... but he's busy trying to get out of Shank himself... that's great news!

So this is it. No more posts from the FaST Surgeon. Thank you all for all the comments here and on Facebook. Thank you all for the personal emails that you sent. I wasn't sure that this blog was worth anything to anyone ... but all the responses that I received were very appreciated.

I will close (sew this up) with the sign-off that Dr. Aldridge liked to use..

Peace out my brothers (and sisters)!

Picture Of The Day - 31 DEC 2010 "Tea Party"

noreply@blogger.com (FaST Surgeon) — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 20:00:00 +0000

31 DEC 2010 - Tea Party

There is no one that knows how to "kick it" better than CPT T (serving the tea)... So there isn't a better picture than this one from the vault of CPT T to usher in the New Year. Above, CPT T and CPT H (AKA Dr. H) serve up traditional chai tea during a village medical operation (VMOP) earlier this year (2010).

Happy New Year!

Helicopters

noreply@blogger.com (FaST Surgeon) — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 13:10:00 +0000

UH60 Blackhawks - FOB Shank, Afghanistan

CH47 Chinook - FOB Shank, Afghanistan

AH64 Apache - FOB Shank, Afghanistan

Just a some shots of three different types of helicopters deployed in Afghanistan. There others.. but these are the US Army's most used rotary wing airframes.

Picture Of The Day - 30 DEC 2010 "Cloud City"

noreply@blogger.com (FaST Surgeon) — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 13:22:00 +0000

30 DEC 2010 - Cloud City | Logar Province, Afghanistan

Picture Of The Day - 29 DEC 2010 "Thoughts"

noreply@blogger.com (FaST Surgeon) — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 13:25:00 +0000

29 DEC 2010 - Thoughts

This photo, from the vault of CPT J, is mesmerizing. Who knows what these Afghan men from the Charkh district are thinking? Many thoughts come to my mind. How about yours?

You Can Jingle It Anyway You Want

noreply@blogger.com (FaST Surgeon) — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 13:36:00 +0000

Jingle trucks are a well known phenomena of the 'Stan regions. I don't quite understand the cultural basis for this .. but then again, I never understood "pimpin' yo ride" either. That's probably why I'm just a simple country doctor.

So.... here I present to you all the different ways you can jingle in Logar, Afghanistan.

You can jingle your waste management system...

You can jingle your container transport....

You can jingle parked...

You can jingle on the go.....

You can jingle in a foreign language.....

You can jingle country style....

You can jingle heavy....

You can jingle light... oops! This isn't a jingle... It's just funny :)

Picture Of The Day - 27 DEC 2010 "Special Snow"

noreply@blogger.com (FaST Surgeon) — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 22:56:00 +0000

27 DEC 2010 - Special Snow

Here's a photo from CPT T's vault (or CPT J... I can never keep it straight. No matter... they're pretty much interchangeable from a party perspective). Anyhow, this is a neat shot of some of our special ops folks providing a little overwatch early in the year. Many people that I've talked to didn't realize that it snows in Afghanistan... well.. it sure does! It can be quite beautiful on days like this one.

A Gentleman General Visits Christmas Eve

noreply@blogger.com (FaST Surgeon) — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 21:03:00 +0000

Chaplain Bernard delivers Christmas Eve service - FOB Shank, Afghanistan

CPT J has just sent these photos from FOB Shank. This series was taken on Christmas Eve during the prayer service held at the small chapel. I especially love this beautiful photo of chaplain Bernard.

FST Surgeons at Christmas Eve service - FOB Shank, Afghanistan

Above, CPT J photographs the final group of surgeons to have worked with the 909th FST. The 1982d FST has now replaced the 909th. The 909th has officially turned the reigns over to the 1982d and they have departed the FOB.

A full chapel on Christmas Eve - FOB Shank, Afghanistan

The 909th is not out of Afghanistan yet. They still have a long road ahead to get home. But, "the cat is out of the bag" and I can at least say that they are making their way home. As soon as they're stateside, I will let y'all know.

FST Surgeons with CPT J on Christmas Eve - FOB Shank, Afghanistan

Let's keep praying for their safe and quick return home. ... Now back to the photos on this humble night. Above, we see our great FST surgeons standing next to the awesome CPT J (standing next to the stocking).

General Petraeus prays with soldiers at Christmas Eve service - FOB Shank, Afghanistan

But wait! A surprise visitor. I'm told he's an even bigger deal than CPT J... Yes.. That's General Petraeus standing with the soldiers during Christmas Eve services. There are two chapels (that I know of) at FOB Shank. There is a large chapel near the air assets, and a smaller chapel (pictured here). I am told that General Petraeus chose to pray at the small chapel.

General Petraeus with FST surgeons - FOB Shank, Afghanistan

It is always evident how comfortable the General is with the "regular" troops. He took the time to take photos with anyone who wished to get them. It's another mark of a true leader. One who knows how to honestly share time with all the people who work for him.

CPT Johnson with General Petraeus - FOB Shank Afghanistan

Of course, CPT Johnson was kind enough to give the General some of his time. I hear that General Petraeus was honored to get some quality time with CPT J. They look like best buddies :) Merry Christmas! Thanks for sending us these photo CPT J!

Picture Of The Day - 25 DEC 2010 "Santa and His Reindeer-Elf"

noreply@blogger.com (FaST Surgeon) — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 15:43:00 +0000

25 DEC 2010 - Santa and His Reindeer-Elf

The above photo captured Santa on FOB Shank, atop the mTBI deck. Santa came prepared for the hostile environment, with Force Protection level set to Delta. His trusty Reindeer-Elf protected his "six" at all times. Even Frosty was not trusted, and got a thorough pat-down. That's just the way Santa rolls in Afghanistan - yo. Merry Christmas Shankites! and to all a good night.

Picture Of The Day - 24 DEC 2010 "Christmas Eve"

noreply@blogger.com (FaST Surgeon) — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 15:08:00 +0000

24 DEC 2010 - Christmas Eve (FOB Shank - Logar, Afghanistan)

It's already Christmas Eve at FOB Shank.. the sun has set as of the time of this posting... and Santa Claus is on his way.

24 DEC 2010 - Santa On His Way

Don't worry Shank-sters... Santa is on his way! Just click the link above. It will take you to the official NORAD Santa tracking site. Merry Christmas!

Picture Of The Day 23 DEC 2010 - Combat Engineers

noreply@blogger.com (FaST Surgeon) — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 03:40:00 +0000

23 DEC 2010 - Combat Engineers

Let it be known... combat engineers are incredible soldiers.. They face adversity every day. This Global War on Terror has a laser focus on these troops. Can you imagine... every day... waking up to go and find something that goes BOOM!... and most of the time.. the only way you can do it is by going BOOM with it?! COME ON! YOU CAN'T POSSIBLY IMAGINE THIS DAY-IN-DAY-OUT ROUTINE. It's real.

23 DEC 2010 - W

SSGT W knows this reality. He's on my right (The girly man wearing the surgical cap and mask is me on the left). SSGT W is incredible. He's a medic with a combat engineering company. He has seen his friends blown up and shot at.. and he's returned fire on the enemy. SSGT W is the face of a combat medic. He's an American hero... This guy can out muscle you and out run you... He's tough as nails and nice as apple pie... He's all American.

Another side note. SSGT W was a Marine in a former life. Yes.... A Marine. He gave up a lot to become an Army medic. That's another trait of a hero. Someday he might even be a medic with the Green Berets. The Green Berets would be lucky to have him. Semper Fi! and Hooo-Rah!

Picture Of The Day - 23 DEC 2010 "A Flight Leaves Shank"

noreply@blogger.com (FaST Surgeon) — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 15:16:00 +0000

23 DEC 2010 - A Flight Leaves Shank

Local Afghan workers in Forward Operating Base Shank watch as a flight departs from a newly created airstrip (photo taken in mid-2010). A simple photo that represents so much for today.

Picture Of The Day - 22 DEC 2010 "LifeSaving"

noreply@blogger.com (FaST Surgeon) — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 16:13:00 +0000

22 DEC 2010 - LifeSaving

Hey! .. Life saving can be scary stuff. Even the most hardened Airborne soldiers can lose control when faced with such dire circumstances. That is why we continually train. :)

In the above photo (from the FaST Surgeon vault) the guys took a break from BLS training on FOB Shank to pose for a little humorous shot... In reality, of course, they take their training seriously and their work shows it. Sky Soldiers!

Picture Of The Day - 21 DEC 2010 "Football"

noreply@blogger.com (FaST Surgeon) — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 16:25:00 +0000

21 DEC 2010 - Football

It's obviously an old photo from the vault... Before the 909th got the sun-porch built out.. Just outside the FST was enough room to pass the pigskin around. Goodtimes!.. Notice the Wolfpack logo on the command tent door along with the 909th guidon (now that's an all American photo :)).

Picture Of The Day - 20 DEC 2010 "Tactical"

noreply@blogger.com (FaST Surgeon) — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 15:34:00 +0000

20 DEC 2010 "Tactical"

Every once in a while ... The FST needs to go "tactical". As I was looking through the FaST Surgeon vault of photos - I found this one. It is a true Wings Over Iraq FACEPALM. In the above photo, you see our fearless FST commander... and right behind him... Our most wonderful (God love him) AIRFORCE chaplain in his reflective Airforce PT jacket!

Picture Of The Day - 19 DEC 2010 "Hurry Up and Wait"

noreply@blogger.com (FaST Surgeon) — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 16:33:00 +0000

19 DEC 2010 - Hurry Up and Wait

All armies are the same... "Hurry Up and Wait" is a well known phrase in the American Army... I bet'cha that the Czech Republic has something very similar. This photo was taken by CPT L of the Czech Republic PRT at FOB Shank. These soldiers made up the security force for a Village Medical Operation (VMOP). They visited a number of villages that day... and in fact were attacked at the end of their mission. No one was wounded and all came home safe... This photo serves to remind me to add all our coalition forces and Afghan people to my prayers today.

Picture Of The Day - 16 DEC 2010 "Combat Dentist"

noreply@blogger.com (FaST Surgeon) — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 12:27:00 +0000

16 DEC 2010 - Combat Dentist

This is from the vault of CPT T (Although it might be a CPT J image - they swapped photos a lot)... It features SGT M (61W - Medic) in his battle armor performing a dental injection on CPT A. From the series of photos, it looked like CPT A (the real dentist) was teaching our medics how to perform dental nerve blocks. He even served as a practice patient for SGT M.... Now that's dedication!.

Picture Of The Day - 15 DEC 2010 "Approach"

noreply@blogger.com (FaST Surgeon) — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 12:27:00 +0000

15 DEC 2010 - Approach

As you may recognize.... I enjoyed watching the helicopters approach the HLZ. Sometimes they would fly in low and slow. Other times they would drop in fast. Some straight on approaches, with others side-slipping over. There were some especially windy days that made some approaches rather challenging - to a point where even I was a bit nervous (wonder if the pilots were?)...

15 DEC 2010 - Approach 2

But no matter how many good views I had of them.... They certainly had the better end of the viewfinder... There's an enormous amount of beauty in Afghanistan... even dry and desolate areas like that which surrounded FOB Shank. I wonder how many photos get taken from the front seat of a helicopter? There are two pilots... If I were one of them... I'd have thousands.

Picture Of The Day - 14 DEC 2010 "Rough"

noreply@blogger.com (FaST Surgeon) — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 13:07:00 +0000

14 DEC 2010 - Rough

Christmas season is upon us. It is so easy to be home and have our comfortable surroundings alter our perceptions of how much we think we don't have. Remember those less fortunate and give give give.

I took the above photo of this boy early this summer in Logar, Afghanistan. I suspect he was a Kuchi. Kuchis are nomadic people that are shunned by the local population. They set up tents (or just live out in the open). I thought of them as the gypsies of Afghanistan. Whenever we encountered "bad guys" (AKA Taliban/Haqqani/Al-Qaeda/Insurgents/etc.).. they would always claim to be a Kuchi to conceal their true origin or identity.

Picture Of The Day - 13 DEC 2010 "Sniper"

noreply@blogger.com (FaST Surgeon) — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 13:11:00 +0000

13 DEC 2010 - Sniper

Above photo: Czech Republic sniper at practice range. Logar province, Afghanistan.

From Danger Room

"Starting next year, the snipers will be outfitted with the XM2010 rifle, capable of hitting a target from a 3,937-foot distance — about three quarters of a mile. The current sniper rifle, the M-24, has a range of 2,625 feet, by contrast. “You want to give guys the capability to do those things they need to do at those ranges,” Colonel Douglas Tamilio, the Army’s weapons program manager, told USA Today."

Picture Of The Day - 12 DEC 2010 "Hope"

noreply@blogger.com (FaST Surgeon) — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 19:54:00 +0000

12 DEC 2010 - Hope

Shank Lift

noreply@blogger.com (FaST Surgeon) — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 14:18:00 +0000

SGT F - 909th FST

Once again, the strongmen came out to compete and this time around, the 909th tough guys showed their metal. Above, SGT F prepares.

SGT F - 909th FST

Note the concentration.. and the new totally awesome 909th exercise frock with Wolfpack Logo! ("Warrior First, Medic Always").

SPC T - 909th FST

The turn out was great.. and the men from the 909th did not disappoint. Pound for pound, SPC T is tougher than an MRAP.

SPC T - 909th FST

Great job SGT F and SPC T! You make us all proud :)!

Picture Of The Day - 09 DEC 2010 "Hot"

noreply@blogger.com (FaST Surgeon) — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 00:36:00 +0000

09 DEC 2010 - Hot

This photo was taken on Cinco de Mayo - 2010 at FOB Shank, Afghanistan. Centered in the photo is the best hot sauce ever created in the history of the free world.... It's the very hot hot sauce of the Mexican Villa from Springfield, MO. More correctly, it's the creation of former WWII Army Air Corps pilot, Garin Ferguson (and Mike).

Garin and Betty Ferguson

Garin served at Randolph Field in San Antonio, Texas during WWII and fell in love with Tex-Mex food. He returned to the Ozarks (with wife, Betty) after the war and eventually opened a restaurant ... from there the legend was born. Read all about his story here.

Now... why am I promoting a Mexican restaurant from Springfield, MO? Well, because they're great patriots. While I was at FOB Shank, I told the folks at the Mexican Villa how much I loved their hot sauce. They immediately sent me a case of their super awesome very hot hot sauce just to tell us how much they care about us. In fact, Phyllis (the super patriot at the Mexican Villa) knows what it means to have loved ones serving as part of a medical team in the armed services.... it was Phyllis who then made sure to get the hot sauce to us before Cinco de Mayo... That case was gone in no time flat.

Since then... months went by.... I came home... but Phyllis... Phyllis didn't forget. She contacted me and asked if she could send more hot sauce for Christmas. Wow! ... Brought a tear to my eye.. Let it be clear that I never asked for anything... She did all of this out of love for our troops downrange. And she has never asked for thanks... In fact, I don't know if she reads my blog or even knows that this blog exists for that matter. But if Phyllis does read this.... Then THANK YOU!!!!!!!! PEACE .... AND MERRY XMAS!

Bowling For Dollars - In Afghanistan

noreply@blogger.com (FaST Surgeon) — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 13:31:00 +0000

For those too young to remember.... Bowling For Dollars was a television game show of the 60s and 70s. Apparently it ran even into 2008. So that's where the title comes from. It has nothing really to do with what's going on in the photos from CPT J.. or should I say.. CPT Awesome.. Oh.. that name has apparently already been taken (Sorry CPT J).

So once again we see that our favorite occupational terrorist (oops.. was that my out loud voice?.. I mean therapist)... Anyhow our own CPT J once again has created another maniacal therapy for patients requiring multifocal areas of strengthening.

CPT J embarked on construction of his own FOB Shank bowling alley. This effort was clearly intended to focus attention on strength building for the fingers, wrist and upper arm. CPT J really understands how to be efficient with his therapy.

Additionally, he focuses his subjects (errrrr.. patients) on building their core back, hip and upper leg strength.

Finally, he shows them hand-eye coordination. It's all just too amazing. His incredible attention to detail and unwavering caring for his patients continues to amaze me everyday.

I mean.. really... look at what he has to work with here :) ...

Therapy goal achieved!

CPT M - 909th Bowling Ninja!

SPC D - Codename DelFlo - 909th Bowling Ninja!

CPT J - Codename Army OT Guy - Check him out at ArmyOTGuy.com

God Be With You

noreply@blogger.com (FaST Surgeon) — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 12:42:00 +0000

Chapel - FOB Shank

I read with interest the article entitled "Where Did God Go In Afghanistan?" on November 5th, 2010. It was written by CPT Michael Cummings from the 173d ABCT. He wrote of the lack of interest that soldiers around him had for attending religious ceremonies. It appears to me that he was referring to his 2007 deployment in the Korengal valley. I do not know CPT Cummings, and this post isn't to dispute his experience. Rather, my recollection of people attending religious ceremonies was slightly different in 2010 with the 173d ABCT at FOB Shank.

SPC Doody and CPT Turpin

We had a fantastic relationship with our chaplains. They were always available on the FOB. CPT T, CPT Z, CPT S and CPT W.... We had the alphabet of CPT Chaplains! We loved them all. They also travelled to the smaller COPs. As well, I have posted many photos from Father Z taken on his trips to villages in the Logar area.

CPT Turpin

Every Sunday isn't a sell-out crowd. I suspect that there are days with higher attendance and some with lower attendance. But overall, my impression was that religious ceremonies were definitely appreciated.

LT "P" sings praises to the Lord

The services were very well put together, and even included dedicated vocalists. Above, LT "P" wasn't the only choir act in town. I know that many soldiers participated in choir during my time on the FOB.

A full house with Chaplain "W"

In fact, with FOB Shank growing in size, so to was the need for a second chapel. This was just the closest one on the FOB for the 173d ABCT. There was also a chapel (Airborne Chapel)that was larger and positioned near the air assets. It was about a mile walk from the FST.

M4s

Of course... this chapel is unique.... It has a gun rack for M4s and other miscellaneous weapon systems. Just thought that was a good photo to end with, as it brings you back to the reality that these soldiers face everyday.

I thank CPT J for these photos.... It was a topic that I should have posted long ago. God bless!