Public affairs Soldiers report from Afghanistan

Photo By Staff Sgt. Mark Watson | Spc. Brett Miller, Bismarck, N.D., prepares to video MEDEVAC operations on the flightline of Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Miller and two other 129th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment Soldiers traveled to eastern Afghanistan to report on the progress coalition forces have made in the country.  

QATAR

09.13.2006

Story by Staff Sgt. Mark Watson 

129th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

by Staff Sgt. Mark Watson
U.S. Central Command Public Affairs Forward

CAMP AS SAYLIYAH, Qatar – Several Soldiers from the North and South Dakota Army National Guard recently traveled to Afghanistan to report on the progress coalition forces have made.

Sgt. Eric Jensen and Spc. Brett Miller, both from North Dakota, were among the traveling Guardsmen.

"I thoroughly enjoyed Afghanistan," said Spc. Brett Miller, of Bismark, N.D. "It's not everyday you get the chance to see another country. I expected it to be really hostile and really dangerous, but come to find out that a lot of people enjoy being there. The Afghans were friendly and appreciate us being there."

The first sight of Afghanistan left a lasting impression on Jensen. "Afghanistan reminded me a lot of the sets from "Rambo 3," said Jensen, a Mandan, N.D., native, referring to the movie which was supposed to be set in Afghanistan. "I was excited to be there. I was excited to link up with units and report on Soldiers in a war zone."

A particular story that stood out to Jensen was that of the 159th Medical Company (Air Ambulance). This medevac unit, based in Weitzbaden, Germany, was responsible for medical evacuations throughout eastern and southern Afghanistan. With more than 500 medevac missions to date and only half way through their deployment, these "dustoff" Soldiers have been credited with saving scores of lives.

"It was amazing to see such a small unit affect things in the (area) so much," Jensen said. The 159th provides medevac support for thousands of square miles and transports sick or injured people regardless of nationality.

Jensen said that he appreciates the safety and comfort of home all the more now.

"In Afghanistan, you hear stories of little kids just playing outside and stepping on a land mine," he said. Afghanistan is littered with millions of mines left from the decades of wars. "To be able to walk outside in the states and not have to see stuff like that is truly a blessing."

The guardsmen also had the opportunity to report on their fellow North Dakota Soldiers.

"We had a chance to report on the (188th Air Defense Artillery) which is a North Dakota Guard unit," Miller said. Battery A, 1st Battalion, 188th ADA is about six months into its year-long deployment and has detachments throughout eastern Afghanistan. "I have a bunch of friends in that unit, so it was nice being able to report on them."

Upon their return to Qatar, the returning Soldiers had their stories and photos published in a variety of nationally circulated publications including Stars and Stripes and Defense Link.

• Date Taken: 09.13.2006
• Date Posted: 09.13.2006 10:26
• Story ID: 7719
• Location: QA