Across Afghanistan suicide attacks are on the rise and in much of the country U.S.-allied forces confront a revived Taliban. A surprising exception is the eastern province of Khost, a hotbed of insurgent activity and al-Qaida ties since before 9-11 but today an unlikely oasis of hope in a troubled land.
Afghanistan: Dustoff
Published October 11, 2007
Company C, 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, is the only medevac company in Afghanistan. Divided into four platoons, the "All American Dustoff" company is based at forward operations bases in the eastern and southern portions of Afghanistan.
When ever the call goes out, it comes to them.
They've hoisted wounded soldiers using a winch in the helicopter and braved enemy fire several times. The pilots, medics and crew chiefs have a single minded mentality... save the patient...
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On one of my last days in Khost in 2007, I remember the 82nd Airborne Division paratroopers guarding Forward Operating Base Salerno's main gate were shocked that we'd go into the city without guns
In March 2008, The Pulitzer Center partnered with Helium to launch its first round of the Global Issues/Citizen Voices Contest. Find the winning essays here.
Grantee
Kevin Maurer has covered the military as an embedded journalist for The Fayetteville Observer for four years.
In 2003, he followed 82nd Airborne Division paratroopers in Iraq during the...
