Interesting date in history

sash

sash

Joined
Sep 6, 2011
Messages
77
17 July 2011 found me in Afghanistan, up in the Hindu Kush. In the wee hours of the morning, my squad was being transported in two RG31s to a drop off, where we would begin movement to an ambush site. Unfortunately, a plan is just a list of things that probably won't happen. A few clicks outside our COP, the Taliban blew an IED under my truck, and fired 12-15 RPGs and a few thousand rounds of PKM and AK ammo at us. My truck (over 7-1/2 tons) was lifted into the air and rotated 45 degrees, completely destroying the front end and shower debris for 100 meters or so. The blast caused my MK19 gunner's face to collide with the weapon, disabling both. As luck would have it, my Afghans were brave and loyal, and drove their Ford Ranger between my truck and the ambush, engaging the Taliban with their M240B machinegun. That gave us time to pass a light machinegun to my gunner, so that he could help suppress fire. After what seemed like forever, but was really only a 15 minute fight, we managed to defeat the ambush, and live to fight another day.

As I was enjoying a cold beer in my air-conditioned house last night, I was just thinking about how glad I am to be back home. In my lap, I had the BAS that I carried in Afghanistan that helped slaughter goats, chop firewood and scare the pants off the villagers. It was always comforting to sleep with, and I like to imagine that one very much like it had been in Eastern Afghanistan before, probably along with some British and Indian army units doing much the same thing as I was doing a year ago. I guess the more things change, the more they stay the same!

Sorry for the ramble, I just felt the need to write about it. :o
 
I appreciate the response, guys. Wasn't really looking for it, but it is appreciated. Really just needed some catharsis that comes from writing things down! :)
 
Thanks for your service, and glad you're back to tell about it.:thumbup: Post a pic of that BAS if you get a chance.
 
Just videoed my friend and co worker's wedding. He's a Sargent (E-5) in the US Army Reserve. You two guys would probably have much to talk about. Looks like your Service Number One (BAS) got used pretty much the way it was designed to be and were it excels. The previous longer, heavier Kukris (the MK's) would have just been unnecessary weight and focus of design do to modern automatic weapons.
Happy you made it back safely and in my opinion, thanks to people like you the world is a safer place.
 
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Thank you for your service.My best friend is a Green Beret.He is over there till September and then he is back to Okinawa and the Philippians till February.That will make 3 years that he has been over seas. He just re upped for 3 more years.If not for my injuries in the Corps I would be right with him! Now I am rambling.God bless you.For those who have served freedom has a flavor that those that have not served will never understand!
 
sash said:
A few clicks outside our COP, the Taliban blew an IED under my truck, and fired 12-15 RPGs and a few thousand rounds of PKM and AK ammo at us. My truck (over 7-1/2 tons) was lifted into the air and rotated 45 degrees, completely destroying the front end and shower debris for 100 meters or so. The blast caused my MK19 gunner's face to collide with the weapon, disabling both. As luck would have it, my Afghans were brave and loyal, and drove their Ford Ranger between my truck and the ambush, engaging the Taliban with their M240B machinegun. That gave us time to pass a light machinegun to my gunner, so that he could help suppress fire. After what seemed like forever, but was really only a 15 minute fight, we managed to defeat the ambush, and live to fight another day.
Click to expand...


Holy crap! Glad you are still with us1
 
That was a fine ramble. May that BAS become a beloved family heirloom with a stories to go with it that are always told with pride.
 
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