Photo By Master Sgt. Kevin McSwain | Spc. Austin Davis stands with Spc. Lacyde Arnold after he thanks her for reacting...... read more read more
by Sgt. Gary Witte
210th MPAD
Personal protection equipment and training saved a Soldier from serious harm recently during an attack on a convoy here.
"I would be in bad shape if I wasn't wearing my eye protection," said Spc. Austin S. Davis, just hours after being injured by an explosive device during a mission here.
Davis, a driver and gunner for 1st platoon, 1345th Transportation Company, said his protective equipment and the training of the Soldiers around him are the reasons he was able to walk around less than 12 hours after the attack.
During a routine convoy to carry cargo and passengers to another forward operating base, Davis's vehicle was struck by an explosive device, causing moderate damage to the front passenger side of the vehicle.
"Everyone did exactly what they were trained to do in this situation," he said. "They stayed focused and helped me and other Soldiers get to safety."
The Muskogee, Okla. native was struck in the hip by a piece of shrapnel which was stopped by the thick rigger belt he had on at the time.
"The medic said that if the belt had not stopped the metal from entering my body, it would have caused serious complications," he said. "The explosion was so violent that it ripped my gun mount from the turret."
The husband and father of one, Davis received cuts and bruises on his face from the explosion and metal pieces from his damaged turret.
"After the explosion, I dropped down into the vehicle for safety and began checking the passenger in the back seat," he said. "And at the same time he was checking me for injuries."
During the attack, Davis said his vehicle began to smoke due to a suspected fire under the hood and his battle buddies in the convoy responded quickly.
"We were trained to set a secure perimeter for Soldiers in a disabled vehicle to move to, and my battle buddies sprung into action instantly," he said. "I was treated by a medical specialist, who rides in all of our convoys and transported back to the forward operating base."
Pfc. Kristy Cannoy, the medic who administered aid to Davis, said her training was essential.
"We are trained to react to injured Soldiers and treat them without hesitation," she said. "And with the extensive training we receive during battle simulation training, I was confident I was able to take care of the Soldier and get him transported to safety quickly."
Cannoy, who graduated advanced individual training in May, said this was her first time treating a Soldier who was injured during a mission outside of the FOB.
"This is my job, and this is what I was trained to do," she said. "I was ready for this situation before I deployed to Iraq, and I continue to train to ensure I am ready for more situations later in the deployment."
Davis said the quick reaction of the driver Spc. Lacyde Arnold, who was also injured during the attack, helped him and the passenger in the back seat exit the vehicle quickly, despite all of the confusion. He pointed out the importance of being prepared and taking training seriously.
"Almost everyone in my unit is trained to operate in any position in the vehicle," Davis said. "We are not only capable of operating in any position, we also know what responsibilities each position has in the case of an emergency and that helped us through this situation without having more Soldiers injured."
Davis sustained cuts to his face and lips, a bruised hip and a minor concussion from the incident and he said he feels lucky to not have been hurt worse.
"I love my IBA and protective equipment," he said. "I should be an example to all Soldiers that this equipment works and it can only help you if you have it on properly."
| Date Taken: | 12.26.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 12.26.2006 23:31 |
| Story ID: | 8675 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 220 |
| Downloads: | 112 |
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