Sandy medic treats close to 300 Afghans

By Staff Sgt. Matt Leas

The Sandy Post, Feb 16, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (1 Reader comment)

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SHINDAND, Afghanistan — Army Staff Sgt. Glenn Yeager, a Sandy resident, was part of a desperately needed medical assistance mission in the Shindand region of Afghanistan last month.

From Jan. 12-15, a full complement of Special Forces, Army, Air Force, Navy, and Romanian doctors, dentists, physician assistants, veterinarians and medics on site treated the ailments of the local populace.

The joint-service, joint-nation effort was carried out in three villages over a span of four days. The mission targeted the village of Shindand for two days as well as the villages of Shouz and Adraskan.

“We mostly just saw regular aches and pains that are relatively easy to solve,” said Maj. Lisa Mitchell, a military doctor who was at the scene.

The medical team treated close to 300 people, male and female, young and old, and everyone in between.

Yeager, an Army medic serving with 2nd Kandak, 1st Brigade, spent most of his day handing out Motrin and vitamins.

“For the males, it’s mostly been headaches, pain, and regular cold symptoms,” Yeager said. “I did see a pretty nasty infection, too. There’s only so much we can do to help, and then it’s up to the individual to maintain their health.”

The Special Forces team leader explained that medical assistance missions are important to the Special Forces mission. Medical assistance missions lend credibility to the Afghan National Army, which is always on site, and show the Afghan people that American and Afghan armies alike are truly here to help them. These missions demonstrate good governance to the people and ensures local support for the military’s presence.

As the doctors and military trainers return to their bases, the villagers express their gratitude. Military officials hope the next time a coalition convoy drives through this area, the people will not react by picking up rocks but by waving and smiling.