Operation Proper Exit: Fourth group of wounded vets return to Iraq

But first, here's a video about SFC Michael Schlitz's participation during OPE-III. We've been able to read about him during coverage of that event, but it's great to get to know a little more about him as a person and a Soldier in this profile.

SFC Schlitz arrived in Iraq again yesterday as a mentor with the OPE-IV group.

Rick Kell, executive director of the Troops First Foundation, has done it again. Six wounded warriors arrived in Baghdad in C-130 Hercules, Jan. 31, and took their first steps in Iraq after being severely wounded the last time they were here.

This is the fourth time Kell, with support from the USO, has returned wounded service members to Iraq as part of Operation Proper Exit, a program aimed at helping the warriors find emotional closure after being injured.

Although this is the fourth trip, this set of Soldiers differs from previous groups; all six Soldiers are retired.

They include Capt. Ferris Butler, Capt. Lonnie Moore, Master Sgt. Tom Carpenter, Sgt. Omar Avila, Sgt. Jay Fain, and Cpl. Charles Dominguez.

You can read their profiles in the full story at the link.

Also returning in the role of military mentors are Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Olson and Sgt. 1st Class Michael Schlitz. This is the third Operation Proper Exit trip for Olson, who had his entire right leg amputated in 2006 after being struck by a RPG. Schlitz, on his second Operation Proper Exit tour, sustained burns to 85 percent of his body and lost both hands when his vehicle hit an IED in 2007.

The Soldiers will travel throughout Iraq for the next week with Command Sgt. Maj. Lawrence Wilson, United States Forces-Iraq command sergeant major. Wilson has worked with Kell for nearly a year to continue to bring troops back to the places that had changed their lives forever.

"We welcome these warriors. This is going to be a great trip for these guys, and we thank everyone for their support in getting them to his point," he told a crowd of service members gathered to welcome the warriors.

I just love this project. What a great experience for these wounded warriors!

U.S. air bases in Germany provide increasingly vital supply link to Afghanistan

A flock of C-17 Globemaster IIIs sits on the flight line at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Ramstein and Air Base will see an increase in heavy-lift operations starting in early February, due to the troop increases in Afghanistan. Photo: Michael Abrams / S&S.

It's been noticeable since last spring, but Ramstein and Spang are about to become even busier.

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — Nighttime and early morning flights at Ramstein and Spangdahlem air bases in Germany will noticeably increase over the next seven months as the military ferries additional troops and equipment to Afghanistan, U.S. Air Force officials said Friday.

The bases’ airfields are typically less busy at night, with quiet hours enforced except for emergency or mission-essential flights. But starting next week and continuing until August, more large aircraft will be taking off and landing seven days a week, including during the base’s normal ‘quiet hours’ between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Flights usually are limited on Sundays and German holidays.

The aircraft missions are tied to the 30,000-U.S. troop buildup in Afghanistan announced by President Barack Obama in December, Air Force officials said. About half the additional airlift missions will go through Ramstein and Spangdahlem, said Aaron Schoenfeld, an 86th Airlift Wing spokesman at Ramstein.

On average, Ramstein will see an additional eight flights per night, and Spangdahlem four, Schoenfeld said. Those numbers include return flights from Afghanistan.

Nighttime arrivals and departures will be necessary during the surge period because "we’re trying to accommodate their ability to receive and launch aircraft in Afghanistan," Schoenfeld said. "Flights need to be spread out."

Ramstein and Spangdahlem will serve mostly as pit stops where aircraft can refuel and crews can rest, Schoenfeld said. The military’s heavy lifter, the C-17, is expected to carry the bulk of the cargo into theater.

The whole article is at Stars & Stripes.

Grace

Canadian Army Captain Blaise Lapointe walks between cones while attending his rehabilitation program at the Institut de Readaptation en Deficience Physique de Quebec (IRDPQ) in Quebec City January 13, 2010. Lapointe lost part of his leg after he stepped on a landmine while he was defusing a bomb under heavy fire in Afghanistan last year. REUTERS photo by Mathieu Belanger.

Who's caring for our wounded veterans?

ABC news anchor Bob Woodruff and hs wife Lee talk about the issue of caretaking after his traumatic brain injury resulting from an IED explosion that injured him while he was reporting in Iraq in 2006.

That short interview only touches on the issues some military families face.

Now I urge you to watch the PBS documentary called "Who's Helping Our Wounded Vets?" , which tells the stories of three families who have literally sacrificed everything to care for their severely wounded family members.

Both houses of Congress have passed bills to provide assistance to caregivers. In July of 2009, the House passed H.R. 3155: Caregiver Assistance and Resource Enhancement Act. And on November 19, 2009 the Senate passed S.1963, the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009.

There are substantial differences between the two bills, and Senate and House veterans’ leaders now must come to agreement on caregiver-assistance legislation.

Some veterans advocacy groups maintain that only about 200 caregivers of OEF/OIF-era wounded warriors would get real help under the House caregiver bill, HR 3155 - far fewer than those who would get that help under the Senate bill. Others say the Senate bill is too expansive, also covering other issues not directly related to caregiver assistance.

I have gotten to the point where I have become ambivalent as to which bill is passed - as long as support is provided to the caregivers of our severely wounded warriors SOON.

The families in the documentary had the option of putting their loved ones into nursing homes which wound have been paid for, but where their condition would have undoubtedly deteriorated. Instead, they have taken it upon themselves to provide qualtiy care to their loved ones - our wounded warriors.

Following on the example of the sacrifices their warriors made for our country, these families are now making their own. It's time for us to step up and provide financial compensation for their work. These families have already given enough. Please contact your congressional representatives and urge passage of either bill.

The PBS documentary "Who's Helping Our Wounded Vets?" can be watched here.

A Doc's downtime

Maj. Gary Eberly from Burbank, Wash., and Brigade surgeon for the 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division finds a few moments of peace by strumming his guitar on a sunny afternoon at Kandahar Air Field.

Mountain View

U.S. Army Spc. Kayla Moore covers her sector in a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter while traveling from Forward Operating Base Lightning to Contingency Operating Base Ajiristan, Afghanistan Jan. 20, 2010. Moore is a Black Hawk Crew Chief assigned to the Company A, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Laura Goodgame.

Real Warrior profile: Air Force Major Iwona Blackledge

"But I don't want to forget. I never want to forget those patients that I took care of."

- Major Iwona Blackledge

As a nurse deployed numerous times in Africa and the Middle East, Air Force Maj. Blackledge saw many casualties and cared for wounded warriors and civilians alike. Her story sheds light on the important psychological health needs of warrior caregivers.

"A chance to help guys that help us out"

Another civilian surgeon heads to LRMC as part of the Society of Vascular Surgery volunteer program. "I look at it as a chance to help guys that help us out", said Dr. David L. Street of Medford, OR.

Dr. Street will be volunteering for two weeks at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, treating wounded soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan.

In a news release from his clinic, Street said, "There's a time in your life when it's just time to give back, and I'm there. We live in a great country that has been very good to me. It will be an honor to give back. I have the ultimate respect for what the military does for our country. It's a selfless goal to guard our freedom."

Fair Winds and Following Seas

Marine Sgt. David Smith
Bavo Company, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion,
4th Marine Division.
Courtesy photo.

"I just keep thinking of all his dance moves and how funny he was and how close those three siblings were."

- Smith's cousin, Ann Rudd.

Sgt. David Smith, a 2002 graduate of Frederick High School in Maryland died Tuesday at Landstuhl hospital of injuries suffered in an attack on Saturday in Afghanistan. He donated his organs, a final selfless act that Rudd said he always proudly said he would do.

Two other service members were killed in the Saturday attack.

Lance Cpl. Jeremy Kane, a Marine in the 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion Company B, was a 22-year-old student at Rutgers University's Camden campus and a native of Cherry Hill, N.J.

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Xin Qi, 25, was a Navy hospital corpsman from Cordova, Tenn., who was attached to Company B after they deployed in November.

Source: Frederick News Post

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of these three Heroes, and with their brothers back in Afghanistan.

Gearing up for the Face of America Bicycle Ride!

From SA's U.S. Medical Support Team:

FACE OF AMERICA BICYCLE RIDE 2010

It’s getting to be that time again. Soldiers’ Angels has partnered with World T.E.A.M. (The Exceptional Athlele Matters) Sports in this wonderful event, which has able bodied riding alongside disabled bodied riders. This is a “ride” not a race. All ride together-finish together.

The ride takes place April 24 & 25, from Washington DC to Gettysburg PA. Covering 110 miles over 2 days, the route goes through scenic Maryland and ends in historic Gettysburg PA.

Plans are progessing wonderfully. Participants are registering on a daily basis and the ride is growing! I can not begin to tell you how exciting this event is--for both the participants and volunteers!! Exciting things are planned!

Soldiers' Angels has quite a few members participating in a number of areas. Some are riding, others are volunteering, MANY are making banners of support and encouragement that will be hung at the Kick-off Dinner, the rest stops and the End of Ride Celebration.

If you would like to have an experience you won't soon forget, register to participate--whether as a rider or volunteer. Amazing things happen when people come together and work together for the good of all.

Complete information at the World T.E.A.M. website.