A Company Update 2 - Deployment 2

[ap1]

This is an edited version of the latest update from Alphas

A Coy Gp 1 R WELSH (RWF) Update No 4 – 13 Feb 08

"You will have all heard and read about the incident yesterday involving Cpl Dan Sheen. The company was conducting a search and clearance of a number of compounds within the town of xxxxx; where we are based. The operation was going very well and it was the first time that the company, as a group, had left the xxxxxxxxx.

On our return to the xxxxxx we intended to deny an enemy bunker position that we had observed on the way out. As the company tactical headquarters, for whom Dan is the senior Mortar Fire Controller (MFC), moved into the area he stepped onto a Pressure Plate Improvised Explosive Device (PPIED). It was purely bad luck that Dan initiated the device as he was the eighth person to cross the same spot. It was in the true character of Dan that the first words he spoke after the debris from the explosion had cleared were ‘It could have been worse; it could have been the OC’.

Throughout the evacuation Dan was fully conscious and cracking jokes until the helicopter arrived. From the time of injury until he departed on the helicopter was 58 minutes. This is incredibly quick considering we are based in the most isolated outpost in Afghanistan. It was a remarkable achievement by all concerned: the RAF for their quick response time and LCpl Leo Tuliva and Sgt Graham ‘Scouse’ McKee for their excellent medical treatment at the site of the incident. Let us just hope the RAF maintains their timeliness for our forthcoming extraction.

Dan was recovered for a very short time to the xxxxxxx where he was examined by the Doctor, Captain Denise Lasbury. One of her first comments was ‘I need to examine your testicles’ to which he replied ‘Crack on ma’am!’

We are all assured that Dan will be receiving the highest levels of medical care and is in excellent hands. Although in an isolated location we are receiving regular updates on his condition. We wish him a speedy recovery and all look forward to sharing a beer with him in the Fire Support Company bar in the very near future."

[Scouse75]

Cheers for the update. Great to see that Royal Welch humour is still in evidence especially in times of adversity!!

[eds 20]

This is just typical of Sheen's character. Good to hear he kept it up during what could only be described as an awful situation. Well done to Scouse and LCPL Tuliva for a job well done.
Sheen, if you're reading this, get well soon bud!