By Peter Almond
MailOnline
Last updated at 2:29 AM on 07th March 2010

It was one of the most complex military logistical and medical operations ever undertaken – and it saved the life of a young British soldier critically injured in Afghanistan.

It involved hundreds of doctors, air and ground crews of several nations, travelling many thousands of miles, revolutionary and experimental medical equipment, several planes and helicopters and communications between three continents and cost millions of pounds.

For months, details of the massive operation to save one man’s life have been shrouded in secrecy. The injured soldier was not shot by the Taliban but was almost certainly wounded accidentally at his camp near Sangin in Helmand province in late July last year.

It is understood that Soldier X – he is not being identified at the request of his family – was not wearing body armour at the time. The Ministry of Defence has declined to offer any explanation.

The respected American journalist Michael Yon, himself a former US special forces soldier, reported on his blog that he heard the shot and saw a flurry of activity and a medical evacuation helicopter taking Soldier X away.

Published: 05 March 2010

Classification:  UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Attached is the 5/2 ID (SBCT) Combat Camera Weekly. All imagery is cleared for public release; please share it with your friends, family, and co-workers.

Join me for updates and other content at Facebook and Twitter.

Michael Yon (Facebook): More information flows on Facebook than this mainpage

Michael Yon (Twitter): Tweets feed from Facebook.

Your support is crucial and appreciated.

Michael Yon
P.O. Box 5553
Winter Haven, Fl 33880

by Staff Sgt. Angelique N. Smythe
451st AEW Public Affairs

2/16/2010 - KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- A U.S. Air Force trauma surgeon stationed at the Center for Sustainment of Trauma and Readiness Skills in Baltimore, Md., quickly volunteered when a trauma critical care surgeon billet at Kandahar Airfield needed to be filled immediately.

One week after raising his hand, Dr. (Maj.) Joseph DuBose, landed at Kandahar Airfield. As soon as he picked up the phone Feb. 5 to let his new unit know he'd just arrived, there wasn't even a moment to in-process. They were already anxiously awaiting his arrival. A mass casualty event had taken place, and he was needed in the emergency room right away.

by Staff Sgt. Angelique N. Smythe
451st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

2/17/2010 - KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (AFNS) -- Afghan National Army Air Corps members led a rescue operation in which they, along with their U.S. advisors from the 738th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group, rescued 83 Afghan villagers during a flash flood Feb. 8 in Kandahar.

The victims were a group of Kuchi nomads who lived in a small village on a sandbar located in the middle of a river. Normally, without rainfall, they would easily be able to walk across each side of the river, but after a heavy downpour, raging waters of up to 20 feet in depth closed in on the stranded villagers.

by Staff Sgt. Angelique N. Smythe
451st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

2/12/2010 - KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (AFNS) -- At the Kandahar Regional Military Hospital in Afghanistan, Afghan patients are situated in wards, the intensive care unit, the operating room or the emergency room. Afghan doctors and nurses stroll throughout the building reading charts, caring for patients and performing operations. Right next to them are American medics, watching and mentoring.

Col. Lorn Heyne is the chief of the medical embedded training team for the Kandahar Regional Military Hospital at Camp Hero, Afghanistan. He has a team of 10 medics, including two doctors, who must teach the Afghan medical staff as much as they can within six months.

24 Feburary 2010

From: Mellinger, Jeffrey J CSM MIL USA

Classification:  UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

Today, at Arlington National Cemetery, we lay to rest COL(R) Robert L. Howard.  The link for the interview is at the end of this email.

Read a bit about Howard at one of these links: The Robert L. Howard Tribute Website, The Congressional Medal of Honor Society Website, The Washington Post- Medal of Honor recipient Col. Robert L. Howard dies at 70.

COL(R) Howard was arguably America's most highly decorated Warrior ever, earning more awards for valor (10) than Audie Murphy, but he was surely America’s most highly living warrior until his death.  The US Army Special Forces Command (Airborne) Biographical Sketch.

Color image from the Robert L. Howard Tribute website.

Wounded 14 times in 54 months of combat duty in Vietnam, Robert Howard was awarded 8 Purple Hearts and was believed to be the most decorated living American.

Colonel Howard served five tours in Vietnam and is the only soldier in our nation's history to be nominated for the Medal of Honor three times for three separate actions within a thirteen-month period. He received a direct appointment from Master Sergeant to 1st Lieutenant in 1969, and was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Richard M. Nixon at the White House in 1971. Colonel Howard is one of America's most decorated soldiers. His other awards for valor include the Distinguished Service Cross - our nation's second highest award, the Silver Star - the third highest award, and eight Purple Hearts. He was the last Vietnam Special Forces Medal of Honor recipient still on active duty when he retired on Sept. 29, 1992.

Interview at the Pritzer Military Library Website.

Please find some time to read, listen and reflect on one of America’s real heroes – Robert L. Howard.  He was once my commander, and always my friend.  I last saw Bob in Iraq.

Jeff

Classification:  UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE