| Sascha (E-Mail nur eingeloggt Sichtbar) am 08.11.2008 18:59 Uhr |
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Link zum Artikel: [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/01/world/asia/01afghan.html]
On an October morning, the Taliban began firing mortars at Combat Outpost Lowell, a remote
base in Afghanistan near the border with Pakistan. Explosive mortars blasted shrapnel deep
into two Afghan men. The guards' second in command, Nezamudin, was killed outright, while
Jamaludin, the cook, fell to the ground. Left, Afghans took cover as they retrieved
Nezamudin's body. Photo: Tyler Hicks/The New York Times
If there is any universal and binding compact among military men under fire, it is this:
If you are hit, we will come to get you. Left, American soldiers rushed to the aid of
the Afghans. Photo: Tyler Hicks/The New York Times
The isolated outpost imposed an unforgiving condition: anyone injured would have to wait
for an evacuation. It was up to the team of medics to keep Jamaludin alive. Left, Sgt.
Zackary Filip called for help. "They need to call a medevac," he said. "They need to call
it now. Urgent." Photo: Tyler Hicks/The New York Times
Jamaludin, who like many Afghans has only one name, had been made wild by fear and pain.
But for some reason he could not speak. He shook his head, sputtered and vomited blood.
Photo: Tyler Hicks/The New York Times
Sergeant Filip said he had always worn rubber(laytex) gloves; on this day, there had been
no time. He had been applying pressure to Jamaludin's wounds and bandaging him. Now he
began taking the patient's pulse. Photo: Tyler Hicks/The New York Times
It would be more than an hour before a helicopter could get to the outpost, if it could
run the gantlet of fire. Could the trauma team keep the grievously wounded Afghan alive?
Left, a translator passed an intravenous bag. Photo: Tyler Hicks/The New York Times
From left to right, Sergeant Filip, Capt. Norberto A. Rodriguez, the American Army doctor,
and Petty Officer Third Class Ramon G. Gavan worked to stabilize Jamaludin's wounds.
Photo: Tyler Hicks/The New York Times
Petty Officer Gavan took a moment to wipe the sweat off his face.
Photo: Tyler Hicks/The New York Times
A few minutes before, Jamaludin had been near death. Maybe he would make it.
Photo: Tyler Hicks/The New York Times
At about minute 65, the rotors could be heard in the valley. By then the medics and Captain
Rodriguez were ready with Jamaludin, now bandaged and strapped onto a litter, to run back
across open ground. Photo: Tyler Hicks/The New York Times
The Taliban were waiting for them. As the medics loaded Jamaludin onto the helicopter,
the mortars started again. The first round landed wide. The loudspeaker was barely
audible over the roar of the Blackhawk's rotors. "Incoming! Incoming!" it said. An
hour or so later, the call came in. The helicopter had reached the next base.
Jamaludin was in surgery. He was alive. Photo: Tyler Hicks/The New York Times