210 ERQS helps save Afghan boy Published Feb. 10, 2008 By Capt. Toni Tones 455 AEW/PA BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan -- Members from the 210th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron were credited with helping save a 5-year-old local national boy's life after being struck by a vehicle near Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan Feb. 2. The squadron received the request from Combined Joint Task Force-82 Personnel Recovery Coordination Center to medevac the young boy who was diagnosed as being in stable condition with a broken left patella and possible skull fracture. After receiving the green light from the Combined Air and Space Operations Center Joint Personnel Recovery Center, the helicopters were airborne in three minutes. "This is a testament to our aircraft maintainers," said Capt. Matt Calabro, 210 ERQS helicopter pilot. "They do a fantastic job having our aircraft ready which allowed us to make the fast alert response." The weather was briefed as a visibility of two to three miles. However, once enroute, the weather was marginal but within helicopter standards. The squadron's home station is Kulis Air National Guard Base, Alaska and they're used to flying in inclement weather, added Calabro. As the crew headed to the location, they were informed that the patient's father was being rushed to be with the son and would escort him on the helicopter back to Bagram's Craig Joint Theater Hospital. After nearly an hour flight, the team arrived and immediately assessed the patient's status and prepared him for the return trip, only to realize his diagnosis was worse than briefed. "He had two fractured legs, fluid seeping from the ears and nose indicating skull trauma, multiple signs of bodily trauma, a scalp laceration that had been stitched, and he was on a ventilator," said Tech Sgt. Brandon Stuemke, 210 ERQS pararescue. "The little guy was in pretty bad shape and needed a CAT scan, which is why he was being medevac to Bagram. We don't know who got him to Jalalabad, but the Army medical team did a great job stabilizing him." As the helicopters departed about 40 minutes later, Stuemke and Staff Sgt. Leovan Claunan, another pararescue on the crew, continued to administer medical care and worked to keep the patient sedated and alive. "We kept his airway suctioned and monitored his blood pressure, pulse and ventilation," said Stuemke. "We constantly relayed his vitals to our flight doctor in the squadron who provided treatment options during the return flight." When it was all said and done, the patient had bilateral temporal fracture, left femur fracture, right lower leg avulsion and a fractured pelvis, according to Stuemke. He also underwent abdominal surgery which identified a lacerated spleen which was removed. From the first call to the patient's delivery at Bagram, it took a little over two hours. "I'm proud of the accomplishments of the combat search and rescue crew," said Lt. Col. Timothy O'Brien, 210 ERQS commander. "I know this child would not have survived if not for the efforts of the medical personnel at Jalalabad Airfield, our pararescue and aircrew, and the hospital personnel at Bagram." Steumke visits the patient, daily to see how he's progressing. "He's on track, but only time will tell. It would be pretty incredible if he makes a full recovery...I know we're pulling for him."