This is a special page set up to follow General Douglas Pritt's deployment to Afghanistan as Commander of the Joint Task Force Phoenix. Doug is a member of the Salem Kiwanis Club. We await the safe return of Doug and his troops.
TASK FORCE
PHOENIX WEB SITE
The following update was received from Doug on January 22, 2007:
Dear Family and Friends
This is a quick update to let you know about the events of 16 January 2007. The following news release tells about as much of the story as we can discuss at this point. The only detail I can add is the heroes involved are being recognized by a wide variety of people and organizations, including Task Force Phoenix. I will certainly remember the day and all the events that took place. I have attended several meetings with high ranking officials since then and everyone knows about the circumstances and comments about how seldom an attack ends this way. I know am a very lucky man and once again my Guardian Angel has taken good care of me. Love Doug AFGHANS PREVENT SUICIDE BOMB ATTACK KABUL, Afghanistan – Just after 9:00 a.m. today, a vehicle loaded with explosives attempted to crash through the front gate of Camp Phoenix, the U.S. base in Kabul. “Without any regard for their personal safety, a local Afghan security officer and an interpreter immediately recognized that this was a terrorist attack. Together, the two prevented the driver from detonating his explosives after they failed to explode during the crash. With the assistance of the US Security forces, they dragged the terrorist from the vehicle where U.S. security force Soldiers then detained him,” said 1Lt. Cathrin Fraker, the Coalition spokesman. “If it wasn’t for the quick actions of the local nationals working for the U.S. Forces, several lives would have been lost,” stated Col. David B. Enyeart, Deputy Task Force Commander. The area was immediately evacuated and an Explosive Ordinance Demolition (EOD) Team was called to the scene. Security Force Soldiers, with assistance from the Afghan National Police and ISAF Soldiers, immediately cordoned the area and waited for the E.O.D. Team to disarm the bomb. During an attempt to disarm the explosives, the device detonated. There were no US or Coalition Soldiers injured, Fraker said. “We are grateful for the bravery and the continued diligence of our Afghan partners and the security force Soldiers and who protect this base,” Enyeart said.
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