Army Medics From Tulsa Work To Save Lives In Afghanistan

NewsOn6.com

PAKTYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan -- The medics of Team Crazyhorse – a Sapulpa-based company with the 45th Infantry Brigade – have been put to the test saving lives since they arrived in the Paktia Province of Afghanistan in July.

Some Tulsa soldiers played a special role in saving the life of an injured Afghan Border Police Officer.

Sergeant Johnathon Lowe and Specialist Jared Fletcher of Tulsa are two of the medics with Company C, 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry, 45th Infantry Brigade who helped the injured officer.

The ABP officer was brought to their clinic unconscious and in need of a blood transfusion, according to a release from the Oklahoma Military Department's Office of Public Affairs.

Two other Tulsa natives, First Lieutenant David Hildebrand and Specialist Jay Dick, volunteered to donate blood to the wounded man.

9/13/2011 Related Story: Oklahoma's 45th Infantry Chaplains Counsel Families Of Fallen

"I wanted to show our Afghan partners that we are here to help them," Hildebrand said.

The Afghan officer was treated in the Company's tiny aid station for nine hours before he could be stabilized and transferred to a hospital. He is currently recovering from his injuries.

The medics also treat their comrades while out on patrol – sometimes under fire.

"You don't really think about it. It's just muscle memory; you just go and do your job," said Sgt. Johnathon Lowe, of Tulsa.

Specialist Jared Fletcher of Tulsa even treated fellow occupants of a vehicle he was riding in that was struck by an IED. Fletcher suffered a head injury in the blast but still stabilized the other soldiers before being treated himself.

"(Fletcher) basically shut everything out and did his job," says Capt. Brandon Kimbrel, a native of Marion, Kansas, and commander of Company C, "This gives us security and confidence in the medics, down to the lowest level of soldier."