Taliban Attack Results In Heroic Action In Kabul
The Serena Hotel in Kabul was the victim of a terrorist bombing on January 14th, 2008. There were at least seven casualties, and they were all transported to the hospital as a result of quick aid rendered by Army Medics who responded promptly.
As a result of their swift action, five medics were awarded the Army Achievement Medal in a ceremony on February 9th. Specialists Sean Meenan, Andrew Truong, Sarah Nickol, Isiah Soto, and Army Sergeant Jason Fortenberry all were awarded medals during the ceremony honoring their actions.
When the Hotel was bombed, the call went out. Sgt Karla Tapia, platoon Sergeant, and Platoon leader 1st Lieutenant Brian Gomez worked together and coordinated the response of the medics to the scene. The medics were at Camp Eggers, and they grabbed their gear and hustled to the scene.
Assembling their gear swiftly the medics joined Army force protection troops that were traveling to the hotel bombing. What the situation consisted of was a little confusing at first, and communications problems threatened to hamper the rescue efforts. The medics were told at first there was only one casualty, but on further investigation they discovered a total of seven.
“We discovered it was hectic at first because there are two separate buildings on the scene,†stated Army Specialist Meenan. “After we found the first casualty in building one, we had to keep searching but found the others in the other building eventually,†said Meenan.
“We are medics that get called to respond outside the wire, and off base. We are called the 911 medical team of Kabul City,†said Sergeant Tapia.
Seven casualties were treated, and two of the more serious ones were given swift transportation to the Kabul International Airport Medical Facility.
