THE MISSION

The Mission

Name of the Writer

Name of the Institution

The Mission

The early days of March 2003, dragged by for the soldiers of Bravo Company 2-6, the temperature soared over 105 degrees, even in what little shade there was in Kabul.

The unit was assigned to patrol a classified route along the border; mission details were unclear and incomplete.

Those big wigs in Washington had something up their sleeves, something dark and mysterious. The sergeants didn't even know the objective, listen up you bulldogs, we got a mission tonight.

Immediately, the soldiers start cheering “this is a snatch and grab gentlemen” exclaimed the platoon leader, let's move out you need to pack light and bring lots of ammo.

The mission was supposed to take three hours. Nine and a half hours into the fire fight the continual ping and ding of bullets ricochets and explosions from mortars hitting, what remained of the out building.

Third squad of the platoon had swept and cleared this very building earlier in the mission.

Lt. took a round in the shoulder and was bleeding profusely; Doc was with him every step of the way “you're going to be alright Lt,” exclaimed Doc.

The radio screamed Bravo 26 this is Eagle Eye your Evac bird is in route stand buy at LZ Alpha for extract, pop yellow smoke to is blue force , “Roger that eagle eye 2-6 copies (Jones, 2007, pp. 25-330).”

We have one gun to the shoulder and several severe shrapnel wounds that need attention, yellow smoke on LZ Alpha to Id Blue Force assets.

Roger, standby eta 5 mikes to your LZ.

“Sgt. Roberts, you're in charge of the platoon,” yelled Lt, the incoming chopper blades drowned out the sound of his voice, in that moment he was gone.

Doc tried to revive him but was unsuccessful, soldiers began to weep and tear.

“Suck it up soldiers,” yelled Sgt. Roberts, “Lt would tell you to suck it up.”

Slowly with heavy hearts we lifted Lt's lifeless body onto the awaiting chopper, along with three soldiers that had shrapnel wounds. Sgt. Roberts looks at the soldiers two of which were only 20yrs old “good luck troops we'll see you back at base.”

“HOOAH, Sergeant we'll see you at base, good luck on the mission.”

The chopper lifted off kicking up dust and debris and in a second was out of sight. “Ok soldiers this is what's going to happen, we need to regroup and focus on the house to the right of the tower to the east, which is our objective.”

“There are three high value targets held- up inside this building, we are to sweep and clear this building gentlemen and detain all persons of interest.”

“I want second squad to advance on the west side of the street, move towards the rear of the building, secure the door and the balcony lethal force is authorized.”

“First squad I want you to neutralize the threat by the front door once down stack on the door and wait for my command to breech the ...