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Afghan and US Soldiers Rescue Child from Well
We often hear of speculations made and emphasis placed on the notion that American forces have brought distress to the region. But what often goes unnoticed and is overshadowed by this type of narrative is the honorable and heroic daily work and sacrifice of many American soldiers along with their Afghan partners. From stories like that of Specialist Weichel, an Army National Guardsman, who risked his life to rescue a little Afghan boy from getting crushed under a vehicle in 2012 to, just few days ago on April 7th, the rescue of a three year old boy who had fallen into a well and rescued through the joint effort of American and Afghan soldiers. Unlike Specialist Weichel who lost his life saving an Afghan child, this story has a happy ending for all and demonstrates the shared and strong commitment and partnership that exists between Afghan and US soldiers.
The Afghan soldiers, who were on a standard patrol, were alerted to the fallen child when they passed the ground well and saw a large group of civilians congregating around it. Spc. Thomas Wirthlin and soldiers from Courage Company, 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, with whom the Afghan soldiers conduct their partnered missions, were called to help their Afghan allies rescue the boy and nothing was going to deter them.
The initial plan to extract the child by rope was proving difficult; the child was scared, confused and had a hard time understanding what to do with the lowered rope. As a secondary method the quick reaction force soldiers brought out a backhoe to dig a vertical hole close to the well and then tunnel into the well to reach the boy. Spec Thomas Wirrthlin said the soldiers did not care, they were going to dig until the child was out safe, no matter how many days it took, adding that, "It was our pleasure to go out and help the locals face to face, it is great getting face time this way instead of just asking questions about the Taliban. We are all the same, we all have young nieces or nephews at home the same age as this kid, so it was great to help." After 6 hours of digging, and late into the night, the Afghan soldiers with the help of their American counterparts pulled the boy out of the well and into the arms of his anxious father; a happy ending for the boy and his family.
Aria2013
DET-CENTCOM
WWW.CENTCOM.MIL
We often hear of speculations made and emphasis placed on the notion that American forces have brought distress to the region. But what often goes unnoticed and is overshadowed by this type of narrative is the honorable and heroic daily work and sacrifice of many American soldiers along with their Afghan partners. From stories like that of Specialist Weichel, an Army National Guardsman, who risked his life to rescue a little Afghan boy from getting crushed under a vehicle in 2012 to, just few days ago on April 7th, the rescue of a three year old boy who had fallen into a well and rescued through the joint effort of American and Afghan soldiers. Unlike Specialist Weichel who lost his life saving an Afghan child, this story has a happy ending for all and demonstrates the shared and strong commitment and partnership that exists between Afghan and US soldiers.
The Afghan soldiers, who were on a standard patrol, were alerted to the fallen child when they passed the ground well and saw a large group of civilians congregating around it. Spc. Thomas Wirthlin and soldiers from Courage Company, 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, with whom the Afghan soldiers conduct their partnered missions, were called to help their Afghan allies rescue the boy and nothing was going to deter them.
The initial plan to extract the child by rope was proving difficult; the child was scared, confused and had a hard time understanding what to do with the lowered rope. As a secondary method the quick reaction force soldiers brought out a backhoe to dig a vertical hole close to the well and then tunnel into the well to reach the boy. Spec Thomas Wirrthlin said the soldiers did not care, they were going to dig until the child was out safe, no matter how many days it took, adding that, "It was our pleasure to go out and help the locals face to face, it is great getting face time this way instead of just asking questions about the Taliban. We are all the same, we all have young nieces or nephews at home the same age as this kid, so it was great to help." After 6 hours of digging, and late into the night, the Afghan soldiers with the help of their American counterparts pulled the boy out of the well and into the arms of his anxious father; a happy ending for the boy and his family.
Aria2013
DET-CENTCOM
WWW.CENTCOM.MIL
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