We Put SGT Islip's remains on a C-130 this morning to continue his onward movement home. This event showed how dedicated the US Army is to making sure all Soldiers make it home. It was amazing the resources that appeared to support this operation
In the month of NOV the Brigade had Four Soldiers KIA, and Sherman and Islip. Six dead. Another guy lost his legs. The four guys KIA were all in RC South. Two to a VBIED and two to an IED.
Fortune Smiled on us and during the actual fighting in Bala Murgahb the Brigade elements took no casualties even though from the stories I got the fighting was very intense at some points. The Marine SF guys took four WIA and the AFghan Commandos ended up loosing 8 guys and about 16 WIA. At one time I had four Medevacs en route and using two CH47's to bring in troops and exfill wounded. An RPG went through the front of one of the CH47's, bashed through the control panel, glanced off the pilot's helmet flew into the back, whanged the side gunner on the back of the head and landed on the floor by a wounded guy. The pilot lifted, got the bird back to the FOB, They moved the wounded guys off, and a EOD guy walked in, picked up the RPG and they flew the bird home, nobody hurt. Insanity of war.
Anyway, The President says he will send us more troops. that's good. Congress is going to tax every American that hasn't served in Iraq or Afghanistan ( unless you aren't paying taxes already.) that will pay for health care. Sounds like a mess to me.
Yesterday I flew down to Farah. It was a blast to get off the FOB and get Out. You can't beat this place for Vistas. Absolutely stunning, flying through the mountains. Staying about 50-100 feet off the ground. Following creeks and rivers. We hovered around a castle built onto a mountain crag. It was a little disconcerting to have the pilot taking pictures, but that's why they have two of them right? Nobody, not even the locals, know when it was built. It's called the "Infidel" because it's either haunted or was there before the Muslims came.
Take it easy, and Stay safe.