13 July 2012

Mountain Rescue


U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Patrick Rogers, center, helps U.S. Army Pfc. Michael Halberg and U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Stumpff hook up to extraction equipment as they prepare to be rescued from a mountainside in Afghanistan's Khowst province, July 4, 2012. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Eric Pahon.



A U.S. Army National Guard aviation MEDEVAC crew made a daring, mountainside rescue July 4, evacuating two Soldiers that were stranded on a cliff while taking cover from enemy fire.

The two 4th BCT, 25th Infantry Division Soldiers were on a narrow ledge above a 50-foot drop while escaping an enemy ambush. Stumpff was shot in the head by an insurgent, but the bullet penetrated the back of his helmet, just grazed his head, and exited the front. Halberg then killed the insurgent while protecting Stumpff.

Valkyrie medevac, a dual-state National Guard unit serving with Task Force Wolfpack, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, rescued the two Soldiers with a hoist attached to their UH-60 Black Hawk. (Source: RC-East Facebook page.)

U.S. Army Spc. Terry Mills, right, pulls U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Stumpff into a UH-60 Black Hawk medevac helicopter in Afghanistan's Khowst province, July 4, 2012. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Eric Pahon.


U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Brett Wood, front, treats U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Stumpff, left, for a head wound while U.S. Army Pfc. Michael Halberg, far left, looks on in Afghanistan's Khowst province, July 4, 2012. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Eric Pahon.



7 comments:

SoldierMom said...

I am so proud of my son Mike Halberg. The Army is lucky to have someone like him. Thank God the two of them survived such an ordeal.

MaryAnn said...

You have every right to be proud of him! We're grateful for your family's service. God bless him and all of our guys.

Anonymous said...

I pray for Mike Halberg everyday! My Little Brother! So Proud of him and the rest of our men and women fighting over there everyday! God Bless You All, And Bring You Home Safe!!!

Debbie Fuller said...

We love you Mike, so thrilled your okay. Come home soon! I want to cook for you and let you nap on the couch. Your a kick ass man. Brave and smart! Love you babe.
Momma Deb

Ramie said...

Thank you for your service, Mike! We are so proud of you!

Ramie said...

.... proud of all the soldiers! Thank you ALL for your service!

Grandma Gloria said...

Thank God your both safe. Pray for your safe return. Thanks to all the men and women in service. Love you like your my own. Grandma Gloria