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On the eastern edge of Khost Province, mere miles from the barren mountains that stretch
across the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan, the dusty, dry valley bed gives rise to Forward
Operating Base Salerno. (Captain Brian Sayer, Commander 1141st Company-203rd
Engineer Battalion) "literally cut off from the rest of Afghanistan.
It's the temporary home for some of Missouri's citizen-soldiers assigned to the 1141st engineer
company-203rd battalion. (Captain Brian Sayer, Commander 1141st Company-203rd
Engineer Battalion) "Most people are afraid to do what we do." (C?? disc 2 42:20)
Under Brian Sayer's command...their sole mission: (Captain Brian Sayer) "This is probably the
most dangerous job in the world finding IEDs. Most people try to avoid them; we literally
go out looking for them-- we try to find them." (C?? 25:31)
Finding them < nat of prayer >"Oh mighty God" (C10 03:09)
means rising before dawn "We're trying to bring peace." (C10 03:09ish)
to begin their journey down the most dangerous roads in eastern Afghanistan.
Creeping by vehicles and villages, they brave dirt and gravel surfaces pock-marked from
remnants of bomb blasts-- a reminder of the constant threat.
(Sean Parker) "When we pass vehicles, does it make you nervous? It makes me a lot nervous."
(C35 11:13) Staff Sergeant Sean Parker is weary because
a suicide bomber blew himself up trying to attack his convoy using a car packed with
explosives. (Staff Sergeant Sean Parker, 1141st Engineer
Company-203rd Engineer Battalion) "Usually the individual is really disciplined." (C35
11:38ish) But without a doubt, the most eminent hazards--
are the very thing they're searching for: IEDs.
The explosives are planted by an enemy who blends in with the people and hides out in
the surrounding area, which includes Pakistan and is just a handful of miles from Salerno.
(Captain Brian Sayer) "A lot of Afghanis civilians are killed by IEDs. Way more than coalition
forces are." When a specialized armored vehicle finds an
IED it can separate the charge from the initiator-- after the explosive is blown up.
In the entire eastern region, the troops in
the 1141st are the most successful at disarming explosives. Most route clearance units immobilize
about 50% of IEDs; the soldiers under Captain Sayer take out a little more than 75%.
(Captain Brian Sayer) "So that means about 1 out of every 4 is going to blow up on us
and we know that going out." (C?? 28:09ish) < "you get your heart pumping"
Every hour spent on a route requires absolute concentration.
On Aaron Garbet's first mission as platoon leader.
(Second Lieutenant Aaron Garbet,1141st Engineer Company-203rd Engineer Battalion) "All of
the sudden is a split second explosion goes off."(C30 03:05:16)
( Aaron Garbet) "I saw the crew in the truck go limp because of the concussion." (C30 03:05:33)<
nat of helicopter > "We had to fly a helicopter to take some of them out." (C?? 04:23ish)
< nats back to Parker > (Sean Parker) "Does it ever get less scary?
Not at all." (58:24) Parker's body has also been thrashed by several
explosions. (Sean Parker) "Do you take it personal? Absolutely."
(C? 02:13:56) (Staff Sergeant Sean Parker, 1141st Engineer
Company, 203rd Engineer Battalion) "It was his only intention in the whole world to kill
you or your friends. I take it very personal." (C?? 02:14:02)
The end of the work-day means safer roads for coalition forces and Afghan civilians.
(Sean Parker) "It's going to mean somebody else is going back to the house." (02:09:47)
Parker and the others in his unit do their job...leaving *their worried families thousands
of miles away... (Sean Parker) "I miss them" (02:01:03)
and knowing there is always the possibility-- (Sean Parker) "I know ah, I know how much
they would miss me-would you give me a minute-whew." (C?? 02:01:09)
they might not make it home. (Sean Parker) "I know how much my family would
miss me. I don't want anybody else to have to go through that so if I can help that's
what I want to do." (C?? 02:02:14) ( Aaron Garbet) "I actually hate my job, hate
my job with a passion, but I absolutely would die for the people I work with."
In the coming pre-dawn hours...they will be at it again.
(Brian Sayer) "Usually if we clear a route today, it's pretty safe today and then that's
about it--tomorrow is another story." (C?? 23:42)