
10 October 2011
Afghanistan
The choice is yours. If blood and guts are too much, the video at the end of this dispatch is not for you. Do not click the button if your stomach is too weak for war.

Watch your step. Underneath that ground is the end of your legs, your testicles, and your life. If you are not ready to be shot in the face or blown to smoking pieces, better to find another line of work.

The bomb dogs provide a sense of confidence, as do the various gadgets. In reality, the dogs regularly walk past bombs, as do the men holding the detectors. Whatever the case, one step off the “cleared” path is completely uncleared. There is no white and black. Everything is grey and black. Even the pressure plates often don’t work until the umpteenth guy steps on it and then WHAM! His parts fly into trees.

I tried to find the Soldier who shot the following video. No success. The person wearing this camera was on official business for the US Government, and therefore this video is free of copyright constraints.
Final warning: Do not view if you can’t stomach unwatered footage.
Comments
You might take off the intro and closing.
I hope he made it, and I was so impressed with how fast everyone was in helping him.
This is just horrific...
"Hearts rule the deck!"
Thanks for posting this, people need to see what IEDs do.
Thanks Michael for sending this and showing lifesavers in action.
I am also concerned about the US soldier who did not seek treatment for his "headache". It is an indicator of a TBI, they are sneaky and insidious and can ruin a young man's life. Somebody needs to identify him and save the video footage as he will need it as evidence in order to get any future disability benefits as the military is still having some difficulty acknowledging alot of these cases.
We continue to pray for you all.
Stay safe
11 years on and off the street here. That response was simply incredible. That was absolutely some of the finest T3C i've ever seen.Absolutely incredible.
Not long ago, a man I knew and greatly respected (former Marine Force Recon and at the time, Army Pathfinder) passed due to an IED. Every comment on every story online pertaining to his death instantly became a nauseating political fight over the war. Not a damn thing was about that warrior. Perhaps it is indicative of our current state of mind.
No one is lying about the brutal conflict...you just cant show this gory shit on TV. Good Lord, are you morbid? Do you REALLY need to see a real death on the news to believe people care about our troops?
This isnt the Soviet Union invading and occupying.....w e are there helping out the Afghani's... whether its winnable or not is a different issue, and whether our government would stop tying the hands of our troops with bullshit rules of engagement is another issue.
Again, to say politicians are lying however is pure politics and not needed here. War is not glamorous and shouldnt be put on TV or the News just to make YOU feel better.
Yes some knew basic first aid but that was about it. But (even then) many more survived than in our previous wars. Soon I guess, most will survive battlefield injuries, but it still might be like in my war, many would ask their buddies to just "kill me". They didn't want to go home with no legs or arms or in some cases with no eyes or their manhood.
Yes war is hell, but sometimes the aftermath is even worse. It is great to see these efforts for an Afgan Soldier.
Mike - please thank the American Warrior who supplied you with this video. I hope that he doesn't get in any trouble having done so.
Papa Ray
Although that choke point could have been cleared a couple of times and there could still be an IED there with a low signature
These are normal after IED strikes. Means that you’ve been hit very hard and might have TBI, or traumatic brain injury.
BRING OUR TROOPS HOME AND STOP THE INSANITY!
http://www.facebook.com/ilike9news#!/RoE.USMilitary
join us to protest COIN and ROE's that are literally blowing our troops to pieces!
Webmaster
What I realized later, and perhaps a side effect of my own time in the military was how well everyone stayed professional and remained on station while the patient was being treated.
I know our troops are fulfilling an imprtant mission, but I pray it will end as soon as possible and our men and women can return home to their worried families. PLease Father, help them, guide them and keep them as safe as possible in the environment they are in. Amen.
Wow.
Because we believe that human life has value. That's what differentiates the American fighting man/woman from our enemies and many of our allies. How would you feel if that was your brother or father or best friend? Would you feel the same way then?
What's the point?? Who raised you?
Frankly, I'm shocked and disgusted that they consider raw war footage to fall under the jurisdiction of that policy. War violence is not gratuitous nor shared, in this instance, with malicious intent. Instead, the intent here was to educate, and share awareness. To create visibility.
Perhaps they'll permit you to post it again in the future.
I get your point, but it's better that it's not on youtube. That's not the audience for this video. Take a look at the commentary that's typical on that site.
I don't think I'll ever forget this horrifying footage.
Thank you, Michael, for your hard work, diligence, and bravery.
Webmaster
[url has been removed to to the destination site having revolving pop-ups]
was this on hill 55?
Still. That's a person over there. One man. This is a moment of his life. How recent was this? Is he still alive? Did he know this was shared this way?
'CORRAL THE WORLDS 50 WEALTHIEST JEWS AND THERE WILL BE NO MORE WARS'
-Henry Ford
Oh yes it is bloody and violent, but we can be proud of how our soldiers perform under stress.
How is this soldier?
That's on squared-away medic who after having been knocked on his ass, got up and tended to the severely wounded individual and proceeded on with his mission.
This is war. It takes guts.
God Bless our soldiers and those they serve with.
AMEN - At the very least we need to give these guys better tools to work with such as this: RIPSHEARS (www.ripshears.com/RipShears/Home.html)
God bless out troops!
(2) Yes you do have your opinion. , and you have the freedom to express it without fear of prosecution by the government. So what. That doesn't mena your opinion is worth much, much less correct.
(4) if you are referring to a fringe Rabbi with followers totalling less than 1% of the Israeli population, perhaps someone made that stupid comment. From time to time things lke that occur, and, unless 5 million people are faking, the rest of the country reacts in horror and revulsion at that bigotry and hatred.
I was foot troop in Baquobah, IZ around 2006-2007, and this brought back a lot of memories that I'd just now started to forget. I've been there, where those young men just were, mentally and emotionally. There are no words to describe it, that feeling of anger and fear where you desperately want to vomit and go hunt down the 'bad guy', and that feeling of helplessness knowing that you cannot undo events that just happened.
As terrible as the content of this video is, it reminded me that young soldiers are still out in the shit, doing this every day. It's easy for us at home to forget that the wars are still being fought, sometimes.
Wonder if they get the irony.
Videos like this should be required viewing for everyone who ever advocated solving political problems by military force.
(and somebody please forward a copy of this video to George Bush?)
IT1 Kurt Schutzmann, USNR-R
Michael, take your usual precautions, watch your back, and don't let the REMFs get the better of you.
Don't worry about these liberals or Libertarians. They live in a dream world. Today, it looks like Iran attempted to directly blow up the US and Saudi Embassies in the US. Some of these fake conservatives and radical Leftists would have the US allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons.
When I hear the label, "neo-con" I know I'm talking to either a radical Left liberal or a Ron Paul Libertarian.
[url removed by webmaster]
One thing on which we agree, is that everyone, especially those who in general are hawkish on foreign policy (like myself) should be required to see videos like this. All Presidential candidates should as well. War is sometimes just, but is never good.
But, hey-- Jews don't really join the armed forces. (Not the American armed forces, anyway.)
So,onward Christian soliders, right?
You know, actually, it's not funny. Not a bit funny-- not amusing, and certainly not odd.
(1) Many neocons are Jews. The vast majorioty of American Jews are not neocons. Neocons vote Republican. American Jews, as a whole, do not.
(2) You have the ability to spout whatever you want, but you have no deep knowledge of Israeli politics or Israeli political culture. Actually, the fact is that ove rthe last ten years, when neocons go on tours of Israel or security conferneces, they have been repeatedly told by Israelis that they are WAY off base and that the idea of America introducing democracy into the Middle East is an impossible dream. Now, you can agree or disagree with the Israelis, but Israelis are foreign policy realists --- with the exception of Scharansky
If I'm a fifth-columnist , it's for Canada, not Israel. I grew up in Canada. I decided I wanted to become an American citizen a few months after 9/11, because I was ashamed by the anti US protests in Canada and I wanted to stand with the US, at least symbolically. My proudest moment was when I became a citizen in Newark a few years later. You can't go on dismissing facts. In Israel, they think the neocons are fools when it comes to their views of the greater Middle East
Now.
That's some badass efficiency - the chopper arrives within 30min!
Its like a well oiled factory. But what remains for the soul or spirit of those who have no choice to leave theater.
As well as those that do. They must stay to live and work it out.
Broken bodies, broken politic, politic that kills.
The only news back here is: the Afghanistan Government must torture their own.
Korean => "Ji_Ryae ga siroyo(Hate mine)."
Enough of that. Here is to those brave young lads with character of steel, who do their job calmly and professionally, even in the face of such horror. Now you know why vets don't usually like to talk about their combat experiences.
(9Line), EOD, and security was in place. He did the most of the treated with his medic and completed the mission in under 30 minutes. This is what we train for and live for. 101st, Air Assault leads the way !!! I'mnot saying to ut in the PSG for a Valor medal for doing his job, but he deserves high recognition for that. I have seen PSg's in the past lock up and the younger Soldiers have to take over because they are in shock, SFC you F'n rock buddy!!!!!
Those Israelis may well be correct in that the USA should have gone in an maak schoon and then left.
Truth is Saudi Arabia and Pakistan amongst the Organisation of Islamic Nations at the UN are enemies of freedom and liberty.
Come back whole, which would mean sooner than later.
Ditto here in the Netherlands, please give the file for medical instructions
Peter Moerland(m.moerland
Mr. Yon, I too would like to push this up to my Medics. Could you post the link or file source?
It´s a mp4 file with 351 MB.
[URL Removed by Webmaster]
Last I checked opium was up 61% on the heels of a "surge."
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/afghanistan-opium-production-set-rise-61-un-075157010.html
This is no way to live out a life. They should not be perpetuating the military-indust rial-complex.
Mining will be big there one day !
This man should have died. What possible life will he and his family have with no face, no teeth, no limbs, no bladder and, without a doubt, a mind turned to mush. Thank you Bush. Thank you Barry, I'm so proud to be an American. At least I know I'm free...
Yes, the U.S. Army hires local dimwits motivated by mouths to feed to wade ahead and take an IED (as this poor soul did) and clear the path for loudmouth Americans with itchy triggers. GTFO out of Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Yemen and 692 places I can't recall at the moment. God I hope people wake the F up and this ends before I have to witness another life-changing video like this. It has been 2 days and my heart wrenches when I even think about this video. I'd wager less than 2,000 Americans have watched this, or will take a few minutes away from Xbox, NFL and porn to ponder the situation. But remember, support out troops!!!
Support our troops no matter what and never question their actions inflicted upon the locals. That is the message perpetrated by media and panting veterans ready to pounce on any criticism like a loyal dog. And it works too - just look at all the lemmings putting Chinese-made yellow ribbon stickers all over their vehicles and who don't seek out video and accounts such as here to see the truth. Hoo-rah. Go team. What a joke. These soldiers and mercinaries need to wake up and take care of business at home, which will probably be to violate and suppress the increasingly restless American citizenry.
Thanks for the disturbing video.
You watched two Army medics and an E7 save the life of an ANA soldier, with complete disregard for their own safety, and yet you complain.
You claim to support our troops, yet you bitch incessantly about the work they do.
You should leave the country. Move to France. Theirs a bunch of pu**ies like you over there. Renounce your American citizenship too. Being a disabled vet, I have no sympathy for pieces of sh*t like yourself.
P.S. It's a restless world and the "American citizenry" is brought into it by everyone that has joined its U.S. Citizenry that still has family abroad to protect.
All for one and one for all...
Korean Army Must Learning that Things. Not Only First Aid Kit and Training
---The angel of the LORD also said to her: “You are now with child and you will have a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard of your misery. He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.” [Genesis 16:11-13]
Sincerely,
Peter Lawrence
Sincerely,
Peter Lawrence
Who is the israeli commando in the beret?
-Steal oil, re-build using U.S firms, privatise the country, install a government that will bow to the U.S/U.N, then leave once they've got what they want. I feel for these soilders, but only because of their stupidity to join the forces in the 1st place, (they are lied to and conned)
-How are you protecting someone 4000+ miles away?!
-Freedom? Democracy? Where was my vote to hike inflation prices? To hike up house prices? To GO TO WAR??!! Where was my DEMOCRATIC, FREE VOTE?!?!
-THE MANY DIE FOR THE BENIFIT OF A FEW, and this video shows what the poor go through to make the rich richer. These wars are started by banks (Fed reserve, Rothschild) Oil company's (Xon) and Construction firms (Halliburton)
-All these companies make mass profits from middle eastern war, and all are the biggest contributors of all Presidential electee's, as well as all owned/managed/D irected by the same people who are senetors, governors, Presidents and high ranking officials past and present
And when the U.S go to war with Venuzuela in the next 5 years, you'll hopefully be prepaired for the lies.
They have oil. http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=17322
And the pre-9/11 Afghan government stood in the way of the military-indust rial-complex's pipeline project running through the country.
Forget about the oil, OPIUM baby, that's where its at.
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/afghanistan-opium-production-set-rise-61-un-075157010.html
http://japanfocus.org/-Peter_Dale-Scott/3340
Before the US invaded, the Moslems were burning that stuff. After US-NATO came in, its production skyrocketed and over 90% of it now comes from Afghanistan. 1 + 1 = ?
if possible give us/me access to the file so it can be used for instruction purposes
regards,
peter
Thanks,
Doc
Theres the video file for that video, you may convert it to a more usable format with software such as "Format Factory"
That's just extracted from the page source code.
For everyone else, you can download the video by looking up in the source code, sometimes it works but most times it doesn't work (especially on youtube). Here I had luck and hopefully the admin does not remove the following link:
http://www.michaelyon-online.com/images/Flashvideo/watchstep/IED.f4v
If you want to download a video in general look up in the source code and try it, if not you can use the "Video Download Helper" (http://www.downloadhelper.net/) with Firefox.
Thanks a lot.
A very unfortunate incident for the casualty. However, you might want to reconsider and use the video for things NOT to do! As a "medic and instructor" you should have identified the casualty care as being some of the poorest rendered.
Pain Killer
As a medical NCO myself, I am appalled that no one established an airway immediately then worked on the limbs. He also should have been immobilized, strapped and drugged within a few minutes of applying the tourniquets. I see they had the intentions of putting a line in, but did they? I wouldn't really matter anyways because he was strapped above the attempted site. I know this medic is under a lot of stress, but the CLS guys know basic lifesaving techniques. It's ingrained in their brains from basic.
I am in shock at this video. I've never seen such poor medical care.
As a medical NCO myself, I am appalled that no one established an airway immediately then worked on the limbs. He also should have been immobilized, strapped and drugged within a few minutes of applying the tourniquets. I see they had the intentions of putting a line in, but did they? I wouldn't really matter anyways because he was strapped above the attempted site. I know this medic is under a lot of stress, but the CLS guys know basic lifesaving techniques. It's ingrained in their brains from basic.
I am in shock at this video. I've never seen such poor medical care.
Sincerely, P L
P.S. thank god everyone here cares for about you all.
So you would have established an airway before you dealt with limbs ? While you are trying to tube him how did you plan on putting the blood back in afterwards ? Leave your stateside knowledge right there, stateside. And also, before any of that he should have been dragged to a cleared area, certainly not with TCCC going in in an unclear choke point.
Respectfully said.
A way to download this video, I use RealPlayer downloader. It will create a download link at the top right of any flash video on any website. I use it for youtube all the time. Of course this video has been removed from youtube, but the downloader will work on here, im downloading it as i type this in fact.
So google or whatever search you use for real player downloader or real player browser plug in. Make sure you dont get just the player. You need to make sure it is the downloader as well. Let me know if it works for you. Take care bud.
Take your training and so called knowledge elsewhere if you think that this was just horrible care. This is not Ft Sam anymore, this is real life. I do admit from my side of this "screen" I noticed some things the medic did wrong. Have you been in this medic's shoes? Not in the ER or battlefield simulation! I can honestly say, that no matter how much you have trained and how prepared you think you are... you are never prepared for an incident like this. When the bullets are overhead, when rockets are going across your face, when there is an explosion that rocks your world and injures a friendly, your mind just does not work right. *Very difficult* What he needed was for someone to get him to calm down and focus. That would've helped him. He knew what to do but didn't know when or where to use his knowledge. After the hell is over that's when it'll get rough for him. HOOAH! ~Deuce Four~
Cant belive this shit happens in our screwed world..
Poor ANA grunt gets his half his face and leg blown off and all you want to b***h about is "DURR THEY WANT THE OIL" or "LONG LIVE THE TALIBAN HURR".
News flash;
This is an Afghani soldier. Injured by Afghani insurgents. You must be straight up retarded to want to make comments on the US involvement in Afghanistan or promote the Taliban on this page.
Go back to your college dorms, you over-excited law students. You all think it's cool to feel like you're standing up for something by protesting and arguing US involvement overseas, or think you're cool for thinking you're promoting a righteous and free group (Taliban).
And in what capacity are law students related to this? What are they guilty of? Rules of Engagement? Even a seasoned grunt will tell you that indiscriminate shooting leads to total failure in COIN operations.
With so many hypocrites and losers to rant against, from the President to incompetent miitary leaders, without forgetting the corrupt Capitol Hill crowd, you had to choose college/law students.
That being said, you're nothing but a jealous troll, a probable coward and armchair general who despises all those that use their heads properly. Law school was your goal, but you had to settle for intellectual misery.
Truth be told: since the demise of the Soviet Union, the United States have not been seriously threatened in their territorial integrity and national security altogether. The Marines at Iwo Jima and the 101st in Bastogne (and the Brits in El Alamein, for that matter) saved the freedom-loving world; taking Baghdad, Grenada or Panama did not, jackass.
It's not just me who says this, check out people who are a lot more intelligent than me or you, such as Andrew J. Bacevich or William J. Astore. Since we're at Michael Yon's joint, do check out what Gen. McChrystal has to say about National Service on Newsweek magazine.
God Bless the USA, from an expat.
And remember 9/11. Would you be talking so much crap about US troops if you were there? If you witnessed a friend get crushed by the collapsing towers? I don't care if you think there was a conspiracy involved. Innocent Americans died.
Politics trolls, G.T.F.O.
That is all.
That's like saying two American terrorists blow up something in UAE, then UAE spends next 8 years invading Canada because they live in same region.
It was 3 buildings and 2 airplains The banksters and their military industrial complex
togheter with the CIA did 9 11.
I am interested in how this Soldier is doing now if you know Micheal.
Great Unit I hope for a Medic Team like this if God is calling for me.
for your freedom?..bulls hit...noone would bother you if you didnt start it first .
wake up plz please. Dont be puppets..
Mines. I would be in constant fear of mines if I were there fighting.
Please read carefully and distribute widely.
http://www.michaelyon-online.com/golden-seconds.htm
https://rapidshare.com/#!download|401dt|3201194971|Combat_in_Afghanistan_-_YouTube.flv
What have you done to improve any aspect of your Marine warriors safety? WOULD YOU TOSS YOUR CAREER and call BS to a higher up? Yon, tried to jump in a fire fight to save a downed officers life, maybe he should just let you lie there with a black mag and do nothing...HE PICKED UP A M4 And risked his life and his only job.
BACK OFF.....Oh and SEMPER FI BRO.
Someone may be hurting.
understatement, yes. Lots of people are hurting, but "Jason" the poster may be right now.
lub
You've been in combat you have no idea what you are talking about, have no right to
even comment on what you " think" you are perceiving and processing. It's a whole different world when you are there, breathing one breathe to the next, making decisions on reflex and reacting on instinct. Instinct, meaning, no time to think about different out cones based on our reactions, just reacting. Deb, please don't think he is giving you any insight at all.
Hopefully, he survived this.
Does anybody know if the soldier survived this and what his name is?
RB
econus.blogspot.com
God Bless You All!
Бля какая все же у американских Военных снаряга и форма крутая. Так и отсосал бы у морпеха.
Noone seemed to realize his need to sit up was because he could not breath with all the blood pouring in his traquea! It is so frustating to see all the others trying to put him in a layed down position. I hope he made it. Did he?
Was it a bomb or a land-mine?
I didn't get the chance to read all of the comments made, but you sir...ok, they could've done a better job, but you can't tell me they didn't do everything in their power to keep the soldier alive and evac'd. He was breathing "normally" (as normal as can be) so they focussed on other things.
Even with medical training, things like this usually don't happen and if it happens, it's up to the guys that are there to get it done. So instead of flaming on how bad they did, how about you praise these guys for being there for the guy!!!
Ok they could have done some things better but theres nothing worse than an armchair critic. Consider all the stressors from being OTW, and being so close the blast themselves.
These guys may be junior medics so their skillset and knowledge may be limited too.
On the positive side they controlled major haemorrhaging first, exposed the body to check for more wounds and got the '9 liner' out quick.
On the negative side they were too slow with IV/IO access and left the cas exposed for too long (heat loss).
As for the surgical cric, could have gone either way... but i agree that they needed to make a 'D', either 'bang it in' or get the cas to lean forward and maintain the airway himself (which eventually happend). TBH id have 'banged it in'.
As long as they learn from their mistakes there on the way to becoming a good medic.
If they were 18D or equivalent then you'd expect better.
My thanks to the medic for providing this footage so that others may learn. Good job boys and keep up the good work. Never stop learning.
ya if they were 18D... or if they werent just blown the fuck up , or if there was I dk a [censored] surgical Suite magically setup 6 feet off camera, or or or. and please I would love to know who specifically you roll with?
Marty B
I was trying to say they did a very good job considering the circumstances, circumstances that 'rob' doesnt think matter ( see 2 posts erlier). Maybe i didnt make it clear in my first post but job well done boys.
NAT GEO is doing stories from the soldiers on these types of events and wants the soldiers to tell the story not some narrators. I am a researcher for them. So if you now of any of the guys in the video, let me know or have them contact me at 3rdID8487
Thanks, very respectfully from a fellow vet..
Truly awed by the focus, training skill and courage displayed. Blown quite literally to pieces, that young man's forititude is almost beyond comprehension to me. Even with his body ruined, he did not cry out, and even did what he could to help the medics helping him. I truly hope he survived and has found a way to prosper.
Equally impressive was Tsgt Metz's reaction - Literally blown onto his ass, his first coherent act was to promptly render skilled life-saving aid.
How ever much we say we appreciate these remarkable young men, we don't appreciate them enough.
Shoulda said that first. Tagging it on the end kinda dilutes the sentiment a bit.
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