TALKED WITH MIKE FOR A SHORT TIME VIA TELE. ON SUN. 10-26. MIKE IS BEING FLOWN TO RAMSTEIN MEDICAL FACILITY IN GERMANY ON 10-26 FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION, HE SUFFERED A NECK INJURY ON A RECENT COMBAT MISSION.
THE INJURY HAPPENED WHILE DIVING INTO A DITCH, HE HAS SEVERE PAIN & NUMBNESS TO HIS SHOULDERS AND ARMS THUS LEAVING HIM USELESS TO DO THE JOB AT HAND.
THE DOCTOR'S AT BAGRAM AIR BASE HOSPITAL MADE THE DETERMINATION TO TRANSPORT BECAUSE OF THE SEVERITY. THEY ALSO TOLD HIM TO PACK HIS BELONGINGS AND BE PREPARED TO BE SENT HOME, THAT THE LIKELY HOOD OF RETURNING TO AFGHANISTAN ANY TIME SOON MAY NOT HAPPEN.
MIKES TEAM PACKED UP HIS BELONGINGS AND WAS GETTING READY TO GET HIM TO BAGRAM AIR BASE FOR THE JOURNEY TO GERMANY.
MIKE WAS SCHEDULED TO LEAVE THE AREA IN MID-NOV (about two mo. earlier than expected) BECAUSE HE HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED TO ATTEND "WARRANT OFFICER'S SCHOOL" AT FT. BRAGG N. C. HE IS HOPING THIS SITUATION DOESN'T PUT A DAMPER ON THAT.
WELL ANYWAY...WE CAN FEEL SOME CONSOLATION KNOWING THAT HE IS OUT OF HARM'S WAY FOR THE TIME BEING!!!. HE HAS HIS LAP-TOP WITH HIM AND HE WILL LET US KNOW OF THE SITUATION AS SOON AS HE IS ABLE.
THANKS FOR YOUR ONGOING THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.

Good for him pal.

God knows I wish I was there but the age thingy, you know.

Tj

Well here we go again back to the war zone! Mike left Ft. Bragg NC on ********, he is headed back to "Fire Base *****" where he spent 8 months in 06. "*****", we think is located in the ****** area of the ****** Province. Mike first flew to ******* Air Base in Germany, and had a 18 hr. layover. From ******** they flew to ****** AFG. and spent 1 nite with some Italian Soldiers, then on to *****-*-***** AFG. and spent 1 nite with some Swedish Operators. the next stop was ****** Air Base close to ****, then on to Kandahar and then to "****". A long 5 days to say the least. We received a short message on "chat" that he had arrived at "*****" on the 17th and needed sleep. Mike is now a Warrant Officer and is with a different group of 12 then he was with in 06. This is a brief description of his added duties as a WO.

Special Forces Warrant Officers are "combat leaders" and Staff Officers who manage all aspects of Special Forces Operations in all operational environments. Specialized Officers in joint, strategic, operational and tactical requirements at all levels of planning and execution of special operations worldwide. They are responsible for the conduct of unconventional warfare and joint integration of Special Forces tactics and techniques. They advise commanders on strategic reconnaissance, intelligence collection, strike, and security operations. They lead specialized teams in Advance Special Operations, counter terrorism, psychological, civil affairs and other missions, relative to special operations capabilities, as directed.

Mike is a bit apprehensive about this tour and was informed by his Commander's that the area around "*****" has seen heavy insurgent activity since he was there in 06. Mike states that a lot of work need's to be done and heavy offensive missions are in the future. This is the 4th tour for Mike since 06 and should be completed in Jan 10

We will keep in touch,
Thanks for thoughts & prayers,
Love Herb & Marcia
pic. encl.
late wire: talked with Mike for 45 min. via chat mail on Friday all ok at this point.

Bump just to do a little dance.



Our family is so excited and will be so relieved when he is state side…