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Ending to a Journey for the ETT
A first-person account by Capt. Ian Cairns, Embedded Training Team member

The New Jersey Army National Guard sent an Embedded Training Team to Afghanistan last year to provide guidance and support to that country’s national police and army. The team was made up of 16 senior Soldiers who were then handpicked for their specific skills by the team chief, Lt. Col. John Langston. All were volunteers.

I was a part of that team and believe I can speak for the group when I say we returned from Afghanistan having accomplished all we set out to do.

We left the country a little better than we found it and set up the incoming teams for success. Each Soldier on the team represented the New Jersey National Guard with Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless-Service, Integrity, Honor, and Personal Courage — all that can be asked of any Soldier.

A year prior to our deployment date, we came together and started working, building cohesiveness in preparation for the days we would be sent out to accomplish missions away from the main body on the ground. As it turns out, we were separated on Day One and sent to the four winds upon arrival at Camp Stone, the main Forward Operating Base in Western Afghanistan. Most of us were fortunate enough to serve in twoto three-man groups. Several others served as individual entities. In the end, we all just had to work harder to keep contact with each other throughout the tour.

We all saw our share of incoming mortar and rocket fire. How many people can say that they have stood guard on the FOB wall and watched multiple rounds walk in on their position, only to miss by a few hundred yards? You get so accustomed to this state of affairs that you could practically set your watch in the middle of the night by the type of incoming round.

We served as the first responders when a suicide bomber killed 20 civilians and wounded 30 others at a local market. With only two medical professionals on site, the rest of the team had to act as doctors and perform life-sustaining treatment with virtually no supplies for more than five hours until a helicopter could reach the field triage site.

Although the entire team returned to New Jersey safely, several of us were injured. At least one of us was knocked unconscious when numerous rocked propelled grenades


Capt. Ian Cairns hands out candy during a stop at an Afghan village. All photos courtesy Capt. Cairns.
struck near our position. Another NJ ETT Soldier received a Purple Heart after sustaining injuries when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device.

We came to realize that explosions are over in a blink of an eye. And we grew to understand that time stands still in a gunfight. When you’re taking fire for hours at a time, your mind starts playing tricks on you. It feels like the fight will never end — and that the enemy has an unlimited supply of bullets. Because of the unique nature of our team, the New Jersey ETT members often had to fight without backup forces nearby.

"Whenever team members started feeling down, all we had to do was look at the plight of the villagers we were there to help. For instance, our not being able to shower for a few months because the pipes were frozen paled in comparison to the baby who died from lack of fresh drinking water."

 

As is the case with any tour, we went through both high times and low times and counted on the camaraderie of our fellow Soldiers to get us through the day. We gained friendships with American Soldiers as well as allied soldiers and civilians. We also lost far too many good friends, whose memories we carry in our hearts and minds. We left Afghanistan with memories that will last the rest of our lives.

Although life was hard for our team, we recognized it did not compare to the trials and tribulations of the Afghan people, who endured the hardest winter in more than 30 years during our deployment. Both people and livestock paid with their lives at the hands of Mother Nature.

Whenever team members started feeling down, all we had to do was look at the plight of the villagers we were there to help. For instance, our not being able to shower for a few months because the pipes were frozen paled in comparison to the baby who died from lack of fresh drinking water. Although we struggled with communication because of satellite issues, the local people suffered when terrorist groups shut down cell towers and made it impossible for them to call for a doctor.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that the home front was the backbone of our success.

Early in our preparations to deploy, the state provided us with training not usually afforded to these types of teams. The previous N.J. ETT was on hand to share their expertise and experiences to better prepare us for the upcoming missions. The state also assisted in providing the team with equipment that was not readily available. While in country, the Family Support Team kept our minds at ease by taking care of our families. The Adjutant General and his staff were in constant contact throughout the tour to provide additional support. Finally, I have to acknowledge the charity organizations that sent us packages and letters and made us feel close to home throughout our hard times on the battlefield. They are the true unsung heroes in the war against terrorism.

I would like to conclude by answering a question I am often asked. People want to know if I think we are making a difference over there.

The answer is simple. While I can’t speak for everyone fighting the war, I can say with certainty that the New Jersey Embedded Training Team made a difference.

 


The faces of the future of Afghanistan; note the snow on the ground and the center child without shoes.


Cairns receives Bronze Star "V"

Capt. Ian Cairns (right) is presented with a Bronze Star with Valor for his meritorious service during his nine-month deployment as part of the New Jersey Army National Guard’s Embedded Training Team with the Afghan National Army. Cairns received the award from The Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth. Cairns provided periodic dispatches to the Home News Tribune from the front line of Afghanistan during his deployment. A plea in one of his articles created a large area drive for clothing and school supplies for the local Afghan residents. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen, The faces of the future of Afghanistan; note the snow on the ground NJDMAVA/PA.

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Volume 34 Number 3 Staff / Information
     
(c) 2008 NJ Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
http://www.nj.gov/military