NTM-A soldiers receive Purple Hearts

Courtesy Photo | U.S. Army Maj. Gen. James B. Mallory III, deputy commanding general NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan /Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, presents Spc. Steven Solie, a NATO weapons transportation driver with NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan and Task Force Scorpion, with the Purple Heart medals in recognition of injuries sustained during an IED strike his vehicle sustained on a convoy outside of Kabul. Solie is an Oakdale, Minn., native.  

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

06.06.2011

Story by Vladimir Potapenko 

NATO Training Mission Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan – It happens in an instant. Driving down a road outside of Kabul, U.S. Army Spc. Steven Solie, a NATO weapons transportation driver with NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan and Task Force Scorpion, was unable to avoid it.

“Boom.”

In the blink of an eye, Solie and the three other men in his vehicle were sent skyward, engulfed in the black cloud of dust and confusion that follows an IED strike. It was the worst possible scenario for Solie, an Oakdale, Minn. native out on his first drive in Afghanistan.

“I’m not a very good driver,” he joked.

Luckily, he and his crew escaped with little more than cuts, bruises and damaged egos.

In recognition of their injuries and efforts that day, Solie, Sgt. 1st Class Mike Espinola, Staff Sgt. Jose Gutierrez and Sgt. Spencer Murray were presented Purple Heart medals, the militaries recognition of injury or death due to enemy contact, during a ceremony at Forward Operating Base Shank, June 6, 2011, where the team received medical treatment. U.S. Army Maj. Gen. James B. Mallory III, deputy commanding general NTM-A /Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, was on hand to present the medals.

Feeling thankful for the safety of his team members, Solie sees the experience as a positive. It was an affirmation of the value of training and teammates, said Solie, highlighting the responses of those in the vehicle following the IED strike and the actions of the on-scene medic.

“The medic was amazing, all over the place; asking all the right questions,” said Solie, complimenting the medic.

Though an incident that will stick with him forever, Solie does not see the IED strike as an impediment to his role serving in Afghanistan.

“I wouldn’t say I’m excited, but I want to get back out there [on the road],” he said. “I need to get back out just to put things behind me.”

It will not have any effect on his future, he repeated.

• Date Taken: 06.06.2011
• Date Posted: 06.09.2011 08:49
• Story ID: 71845
• Location: KABUL, AF