AFGHANISTAN - U.S. Army Soldiers with Task Force Marauder were presented with coins from the chief of the National Guard Bureau on Nov. 23 in Afghanistan for their recent actions in response to a mass casualty involving U.S. Soldiers.
U.S. Air Force Gen. Joseph Lengyel recognized Soldiers with Detachment 1, C Company, Medical Evacuation, 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB) with the Iowa National Guard and C Company, 4-3 Assault Helicopter Battalion (AHB), 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade.
Sgt. Austin David, 2-211th GSAB UH60 crew chief, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Roy Miller, Det. 1, C Co. 2-211th GSAB UH60 pilot, 1st Lt. Nolan Sampson, Det. 1, C Co. 2-211th GSAB UH60 pilot, Staff Sgt. Justin Meier, Det. 1, C Co. 2-211th GSAB platoon sergeant and flight medic, Sgt. Michael Schultz, Det. 1, C Co. 2-211th GSAB flight medic, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Caleb Kittrell, C Co. 4-3 AHB UH60 pilot, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Allen Gardner, C Co. 4-3 AHB UH60 pilot, and Spc. Heriberto Marrero, C Co. 4-3 AHB UH60 crew chief, responded to a vehicle borne improvised explosive device strike against an American convoy Nov. 13 that left four U.S. Soldiers wounded.
The crews answered the call for assistance and once they reached the incident, Meier and Schultz exited the aircraft to assess the number and priority of casualties, said U.S. Army Capt. Erin Doyle, Det. 1, C Co. 2-211th GSAB commander. Meier provided medical care to the patients on the first helicopter, as Schultz remained on the ground with the remaining patient until the next helicopter landed. All patients were then transported for follow-on medical care.
"You all are heroes," said Lengyel."I couldn't be more proud…you were ready and reacted to save lives."
Lengyel added the skill and training of the Task Force Marauder Soldiers was evident in their speed when service members were in need, getting the patients to follow-on care within an hour of the incident taking place.
"You were ready to do your job," he said."Thank you for what you do."
Task Force Marauder consists of Soldiers from South Carolina National Guard, Illinois National Guard, Iowa National Guard, as well as active duty component and provides aviation capabilities with AH64 Apaches, UH60 Black Hawks, CH47 Chinooks, and medevac assets in Afghanistan under the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade while deployed.