“I was nervous because I have never had to react to a wounded soldier in a combat situation,” said Sanders. “The line medics, who are medics that go out with the infantry, remained calm and did their jobs without even thinking. Having them there helped to keep me calm. We stabilized the soldier and had air support to come pick him up in no time.” Hebrank also experienced the rigors of combat medical aid during her time at the KOP. “We had an ANA (Afghan national army) soldier who got hit, and I was the one who removed the bullet from him,” said Hebrank. As Hebrank and Sanders experienced more attacks, they became more seasoned and familiar with procedure. They also became more accustomed to the primitive living conditions of the small base. “We didn’t have running water, so we would fill up five gallon buckets from a water buffalo we had,” said Hebrank. “We would warm the water in big pots over a fire and then fill up a device called an Australian bag – that is a small shower bag. It worked, but it would still get cold, especially as winter began to set in.” “We had everything we needed,” said Sanders. “Living on the KOP helps you to realize how little you actually need and what you are capable of doing without.” “When we came back to Jalalabad Airfield, every meal we had for the first two weeks literally seemed like the best meal we had ever had,” said Hebrank. “Some may complain about the food in the dining facility, but after going for months without hot chow it was great.” The women learned a great deal while on the mission. “We had to take our time up there seriously,” said Hebrank. “Knowing that your decision is the highest immediate medical decision makes things serious. Knowing you may have to treat and sustain a patient overnight until air support arrives pushes you to make sure you are always on your toes.” “A lot of the injuries the infantrymen suffered were knee and ankle injuries from the wear and the tear of foot patrols in the mountains,” said Sanders. “At our last forward- operating base soldiers with musculoskeletal problems went directly to physical therapy. I had to learn out of a book to help the soldiers who came to us.” The women didn’t have a medical doctor with them during their forward mission, so they used every resource to care for their patients. The most valuable gift the women took from their time at the KOP was perspective. “When you see the faces of the guys coming back from being on the mountain and understand what these soldiers go through on a regular basis, it makes you appreciate the little things,” said Sanders. “You see how happy the Afghan kids get from something as simple as a pop tart and it makes you think about the kids back home who have so much and may at times take it for granted,” said Hebrank. The bond the women formed is similar to those shared by front-line soldiers who prevail in the face of adversity. “Having a fellow female to share this time with has been awesome,” said Hebrank. “A lot of females don’t know what it’s like to be shot at with small-arms fire and be able to see their assailants in the nearby mountains. I value the time we had together.” |