ISAF, HERAT, Afghanistan (August 26, 2011)– The Afghan Air Force and Afghan National Army quickly responded with medical support after a roadside bomb detonated on a mini-bus transporting Afghan citizens, in the Owbeh district, Aug. 18.
After the bus was hit by the explosion, the Afghan Air Force immediately responded with the largest air-casualty evacuation they have conducted to date, pulling at least 13 survivors from the wreckage.
Coalition Special Operations Forces assisting with medical care confirmed reports that 20 citizens perished in the blast. The 13 wounded civilians, mostly small children, were transported to Zafar hospital for medical attention.
Coalition forces on the scene reported the Afghan National Security Forces were very expeditious in their response to the blast. “AAF [Afghan Air Force] and ANA handled this all on their own,” said a coalition forces officer working at the scene of the explosion.
“The AAF was able to conduct triage within 25 minutes, which is incredible timing; that’s including x-rays and [blocking massive bleeding].”
The citizens were grateful for the aid given by Afghan Forces. Without saying much, other than “Thank you” and “God be with you,” they appreciatively shook doctors’ hands with mustered smiles on their faces.
To date, the Afghan Air Force has successfully conducted several operations in Afghanistan on their own, evacuating around 120 wounded citizens over the past few months.