Recovering a Downed Marine in Afghanistan

September 10, 2025 01:20:36
Recovering a Downed Marine in Afghanistan
The Spear
Recovering a Downed Marine in Afghanistan

Sep 10 2025 | 01:20:36

/

Show Notes

During his service as a combat rescue officer in the US Air Force, Captain Sal Sferrazza and his team of Air Force pararescue jumpers were deployed to Afghanistan, where their mission set included casualty evacuation, personnel recovery, and reintegration operations. In this episode of The Spear, Sal relates the story of how he and his team were called into action in Helmand Province to assist in the recovery of the body of a Marine who stepped on a pressure-plate IED and was blown into a fast-moving mountain river.

Other Episodes

Episode

March 21, 2018 00:37:13
Episode Cover

The Battle of Barg-e Matal

In this episode, Maj. Jake Miraldi walks listeners through the 2009 Battle of Barg-e Matal in eastern Afghanistan's Nuristan province. He was part of...

Listen

Episode

March 01, 2023 00:40:32
Episode Cover

The Strategic Lieutenant

Many episodes of The Spear have featured stories of action at the tactical level. This episode departs from that pattern, as Capt. Pete Mitchell ...

Listen

Episode 0

July 15, 2020 00:58:16
Episode Cover

Command and Control

In 2006, Lt. Col. James Enos was a company commander deployed in Ramadi, Iraq. One day, his company's company's foot patrol turned quickly into...

Listen