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DavidBowering

MEDEVAC! MEDEVAC! MEDEVAC!
The eyewitness

Canadian David Bowering is another tough-minded photographer of industrial-grade humanity. On his marvellous website, he's set down his first-hand and seriously graphic account of what he witnessed that day with Giles - and a happy aftermath.

David spent time many months with the US Army in Afghanistan. His work included recording the literally vital work of the Medevac teams - the men and women in the helicopters sent out to bring in the casualties of the war. Like professional military medics since Roman times, they have an unflinching dedication to their demanding duty at the frontline, often under fire themselves.

David has kindly agreed for us to reproduce his account of what he witnessed on Monday 7 February 2011.

Today started off rather quiet, around 9:00am we got a mission call for a patient transfer from the Role 2 to KAF. He had some nasty compound fractures the result of a motor vehicle accident. We were back in time for lunch and I spent the next while doing the standard photo work.

It's hard to explain the feeling but it felt like we were going to get another call, I have noticed that there are some consistencies that have to do with weather and time of day but I will just leave it a that. I went for a power nap at about 3:00 and a short while later came the startling radio call MEDEVAC MEDEVAC MEDEVAC, as per usual its grab the gear and run like hell to the bird. We knew what we were facing upon takeoff, a triple amputee the result of a land mine.

I belted myself in this time as I knew CW3 Guzman would be flying very fast and very low, there is no time to waste on these extremely time sensitive cases. We were having trouble making contact with the ground troop which was absolutely imperative, everyone in the chopper was scanning the area for the smoke grenade plume that would give us our landing zone. Finally it is spotted and and then I spotted the soldiers all huddled together under a large tree protecting their wounded man.

Pilot CW3 Juan Guzman put on down on the ground quickly and the medics were out the door instantaneously. Wounded isn't a good description for the status of this patient, he was torn apart but more importantly he was alive. This was my first time for this type of traumatic injuries and I would rather not see it again. Medics Reese and Williams were working on the patient as a team and we were back in the air headed for Role 3 at KAF.

It seemed that this mission had taken 3 hours but according to my timecode we were able to load the patient and deliver him to the surgery ward in about 14 minutes, I couldn't believe it. Both medics jumped into the ambulance with the gravely injured man and accompanied him into the ward.

I have to say that this man was one tough hombre, he was conscious the entire trip, he was able to answer a few questions from the medics. The strength and sheer willpower of this man was amazing. Now in the ambulance at Role 3 Medic SGT Cole Reese tells the man “you're going to be ok, just stay with me “. Reese then asked “what's your name “ the patient answered strongly “Giles “. Medic “Mo” Williams yells over the whine of the chopper to the man “you're a fucking hell of a fighter, you know that “. Giles asks “am I going to live “ “Fuck yea your going to live, hell yea ”answers Reese. They disappear out of sight as the ambulance makes its way to the hospital.

We did our fuel run while SGT Reese and SPC Williams were in the hospital, coming back to Role 3 to pick them up a short time later. We were back to PB Wilson a short time later.

Shortly after returning we got another call, a local national had been shot in the lower leg. He was picked up at another base then we transferred him to KAF. This had been a long day that really took a toll on the crew I think. Sleep will come easy I hope tonight.

ADDENDUM

I had thought that the injured man was a soldier but I found out a short time later that he was a well known British photographer named Giles Duley. After only being in Afghanistan for only a few weeks Giles had been out on a dismounted patrol with the US Army when he stepped on a remote trigger for an IED I was told. This hit home for me as only a few weeks earlier I was out doing the same thing and have done numerous other times in previous months.

Giles is now back in the UK and is in stable condition and I hear he’s been flirting with the nurses. I have also been in contact with Giles family who graciously allowed me to publish some of the photos of him and are keeping me up to date on Giles. Thank you David Duley.

I have seen first hand the amazing work of these MEDEVAC crews and can only say that it's an honour to be allowed to go along for the ride.

To Giles Duley, I hope you are up and shooting soon, my hats off to you sir.

"ONE TOUGH HOMBRE" GILES DULEY and the US Army Medevac team who kept him literally inspiring
chosen & being painted by Hugh Gibbons

YOU'RE GONNA BE OK - JUST STAY WITH ME It's not difficult to see why Giles should be on the Gallery of Inspirers. And it's typical that he should say "...not sure if I deserve to be included, though very touched to have been thought of." Typical too: “Do you ever have one of those mornings, when you just can't be bothered to put your legs on? ” Giles was a fashion photographer who tired of celebrity photoshoots, egos and tantrums. He dedicated himself to using his camera to "tell unheard stories of those caught in conflict and economic hardship around the world." His work took him to Sudan, Angola, Ukraine and Bangladesh, among other places. Early in 2011, on assignment in Afghanistan, Giles stepped on a landmine, leaving him a triple amputee. But despite these injuries, attendant operations, and he continues to dedicate his life to telling stories through photography. GILES GIVES A TED TALK - WHEN A REPORTER BECOMES THE STORY	MEDEVAC! MEDEVAC! MEDEVAC! The eyewitness Canadian David Bowering is another tough-minded photographer of industrial-grade humanity. On his marvellous website, he's set down his first-hand and seriously graphic account of what he witnessed that day with Giles - and a happy aftermath. David spent time many months with the US Army in Afghanistan. His work included recording the literally vital work of the Medevac teams - the men and women in the helicopters sent out to bring in the casualties of the war. Like professional military medics since Roman times, they have an unflinching dedication to their demanding duty at the frontline, often under fire themselves. David has kindly agreed for us to reproduce his account of what he witnessed on Monday 7 February 2011. Today started off rather quiet, around 9:00am we got a mission call for a patient transfer from the Role 2 to KAF. He had some nasty compound fractures the result of a motor vehicle accident. We were back in time for lunch and I spent the next while doing the standard photo work. It's hard to explain the feeling but it felt like we were going to get another call, I have noticed that there are some consistencies that have to do with weather and time of day but I will just leave it a that. I went for a power nap at about 3:00 and a short while later came the startling radio call MEDEVAC MEDEVAC MEDEVAC, as per usual its grab the gear and run like hell to the bird. We knew what we were facing upon takeoff, a triple amputee the result of a land mine. I belted myself in this time as I knew CW3 Guzman would be flying very fast and very low, there is no time to waste on these extremely time sensitive cases. We were having trouble making contact with the ground troop which was absolutely imperative, everyone in the chopper was scanning the area for the smoke grenade plume that would give us our landing zone. Finally it is spotted and and then I spotted the soldiers all huddled together under a large tree protecting their wounded man. Pilot CW3 Juan Guzman put on down on the ground quickly and the medics were out the door instantaneously. Wounded isn't a good description for the status of this patient, he was torn apart but more importantly he was alive. This was my first time for this type of traumatic injuries and I would rather not see it again. Medics Reese and Williams were working on the patient as a team and we were back in the air headed for Role 3 at KAF. It seemed that this mission had taken 3 hours but according to my timecode we were able to load the patient and deliver him to the surgery ward in about 14 minutes, I couldn't believe it. Both medics jumped into the ambulance with the gravely injured man and accompanied him into the ward. I have to say that this man was one tough hombre, he was conscious the entire trip, he was able to answer a few questions from the medics. The strength and sheer willpower of this man was amazing. Now in the ambulance at Role 3 Medic SGT Cole Reese tells the man “you're going to be ok, just stay with me “. Reese then asked “what's your name “ the patient answered strongly “Giles “. Medic “Mo” Williams yells over the whine of the chopper to the man “you're a fucking hell of a fighter, you know that “. Giles asks “am I going to live “ “Fuck yea your going to live, hell yea ”answers Reese. They disappear out of sight as the ambulance makes its way to the hospital. We did our fuel run while SGT Reese and SPC Williams were in the hospital, coming back to Role 3 to pick them up a short time later. We were back to PB Wilson a short time later. Shortly after returning we got another call, a local national had been shot in the lower leg. He was picked up at another base then we transferred him to KAF. This had been a long day that really took a toll on the crew I think. Sleep will come easy I hope tonight. ADDENDUM I had thought that the injured man was a soldier but I found out a short time later that he was a well known British photographer named Giles Duley. After only being in Afghanistan for only a few weeks Giles had been out on a dismounted patrol with the US Army when he stepped on a remote trigger for an IED I was told. This hit home for me as only a few weeks earlier I was out doing the same thing and have done numerous other times in previous months. Giles is now back in the UK and is in stable condition and I hear he’s been flirting with the nurses. I have also been in contact with Giles family who graciously allowed me to publish some of the photos of him and are keeping me up to date on Giles. Thank you David Duley. I have seen first hand the amazing work of these MEDEVAC crews and can only say that it's an honour to be allowed to go along for the ride. To Giles Duley, I hope you are up and shooting soon, my hats off to you sir.