Courtesy Photo | 1st Lt. Anthony Aguilar wears the ballistic protective eyewear that prevented a...... read more read more
MOSUL, IRAQ (May, 31 2006) -- Soldiers count on a lot if items for their protection, but none as valuable as a good set of eyes. For 1st Lt. Anthony Aguilar, platoon leader, Company C, Task Force 2-1, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, this became a matter of life or death while on a routine combat patrol last February.
As his company was moving through Mosul, an unusually large Improvised Explosive Device detonated, sending a bomb-fragment that struck his glasses and knocked them off his face.
"The force of the blast was so powerful that it knocked me back into the Stryker vehicle." said Aguilar, a native of San Antonio, Texas. "When I picked the glasses up and put them back on, I could feel the heat from the fragment near my eye."
The blast caused considerable damage to a nearby house and cars parked along the street. Aguilar's unit cordoned off the area and immediately did an extensive search before leaving.
"As our company cordoned off the area, I kept the glasses on and continued with the mission." said Aguilar.
As a result of the incident, it is an absolute must for each Co. C Soldier to wear all protective equipment they were issued to include: the advanced combat helmet, eye protection, individual body armor with neck strap and Nomex gloves.
According to Aguilar, the day-to-day combat routine, and debris in the air wears down the lenses, but he was quick to add the unit supply section is not in short supply should Soldiers need replacement.
| Date Taken: | 06.02.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 06.02.2006 12:20 |
| Story ID: | 6640 |
| Location: | MOSUL, IQ |
| Web Views: | 398 |
| Downloads: | 106 |
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