Attacked Truck Provides Water

KHOST PROVINCE, Afghanistan – The Afghan National Police and Coalition forces Soldiers responded to an attacked, abandoned cargo truck carrying unknown contents in the Dwamanda district of Khost province, Afghanistan, Feb. 12. 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment and 707th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company Soldiers, partnered with the local ANP to respond to the incident. The ANP and 1-33rd CAV, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, secured the area, while the 707th EOD team cleared and verified the contents of the vehicle to ensure it was free from further threats.

“We inspected the truck for any insurgent tampering, and checked for possible traps,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Dennis Wayne Speek, a platoon sergeant with 707th EOD and Tacoma, Wash., native. “During my assessment, I opened the container, and inside held approximately 10 palettes of water bottles.”

After the EOD team confirmed that the vehicle was clear, 1-33rd CAV’s Delta Troop arrived to transport the vehicle back to base. After deliberation between all the units of how to handle the contents in order to recover the vehicle, it was decided that it would be best to give the water to the locals, who had gathered around the vehicle during the commotion.

“Seeing the condition of the village and talking with the locals about their need for water, we felt why not turn a bad situation into a good one,” said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Justine A. Sacco, 1-33rd CAV, 3rd BCT, Delta Troop Forward Support Company distribution platoon leader. “It just made sense to lighten the load to make it easier to recover the vehicle, and we also got to help the locals.”

The crowd of more than 100 Afghans from a neighboring village and the local ANP worked together to unload the palettes, while the 1-33rd CAV Soldiers continued to secure the area. Unloading the water and transporting it to the village took several hours, but everyone was in high spirits to help. 

“It was great how everyone worked together; the locals, kids, and ANP were all genuinely happy,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael Wade, 1-33 CAV, Alpha Troop, Company Intelligence Support Team noncommissioned officer in charge. “It was a routine incident response call that happened to turn into an opportunity to help.”

The 1-33rd CAV Squadron and ANP successfully recovered the vehicle, and will continue to investigate who conducted the attack.