sgtdub

17 December 2006, Narrow Escape. Today started liked every other day here in Afghanistan for me, way too early. But that's not the point. We left camp this morning around 1000 hrs to finish up the police sub-station project you have been reading about. At 1058 hrs, it all began. Below is the debriefing statement I gave, with the omitting of names, all other information is as I reported it:
"At 171158LDEC06 our convoy had finished the construction at the sub-station located at the above grid. Before we could leave, several members of the convoy heard gunfire 100 meters east of our location. Immediately, the patrol set up a defensive position providing for 360 degrees of coverage. SFC M and SPC M defended the western flank to deny any enemy forces from attacking. CPL L and SPC T assembled to the east providing coverage from the direction of the gunfire. 2LT M immediately established contact with the ANP Officer in charge at the sub-station and with the assistance fo the interpreter began gathering intelligence to ascertain our situation. I maintained a position that would allow me to communicate with both our security elements at this crucial time. The sound of approximately 7 rounds had us all on edge. 2LT M was quickly able to determine that the ANP was attempting to arrest a _ _ worker. After several tense minutes we were able to extract ourselves without further incident. Although rattled, we were able to continue our mission."
Now, before you get all excited, I'll tell you the real story. We had just finished the construction, and my LT was talking with some elders of the villages surrounding us. I went to my truck and sat down. I then began to eat some potato bread CPL L had gotten for us from a vendor. I looked over at another guy and he made a motion. I opened my door and he said they had just heard some shots fired. (If you haven't read it before, I had to have a waiver for my hearing, it's that bad) I didn't hear any shots fired, but could see the ANP had two pickups about 100 meters from us and were definitely doing something. I won't mention names but someone, not me, called in to headquarters and made the statement "We're taking fire". If I had been closer to this individual I would have slapped him in the back of his helmet. (That's because this incident was much like me getting taken off a bicycle by a real clothes line and the other officer making the comment over the radio, "Officer down". Anyway, we contacted headquarters again and let them know that we only heard gunfire and that we were not engaged in anything. Within a couple of minutes the whole incident was over and the man they were looking for was in custody. My only concern during the incident was that I really needed to travel in that direction and I was hoping they would be gone soon. Other than that, it's been a normal, boring day, which in a war is a good thing.
Be safe and have a good day.