Condition of Ypsilanti soldier 'very serious' after deadly explosion in Afghanistan
The condition of a 24-year-old Michigan Army National Guard soldier from Ypsilanti is described as “very serious” after he was injured while on foot patrol Wednesday in Afghanistan.
Spec. William Andrew Barnett was part of a group of soldiers from the Augusta-based 1433rd Engineer Company on patrol near Salim Aka about 4:50 p.m. Wednesday when an improvised explosive device detonated.
William Andrew Barnett
Barnett previously served a year-long tour in Iraq in 2010, and took classes in the fall semesters of 2007 and 2008 at Eastern Michigan University. He graduated from Lincoln High School in Ypsilanti in 2006.
The explosion killed 25-year-old Spc. Kyle McClain of Shelby Township instantly. McClain was the 21st Michigan National Guard Soldier killed in action since Sept. 11, 2003.
Three other Michigan soldiers in the patrol unit were injured in the event.
Staff Sgt. Robert Drebenstedt, 29, of Charlevoix and Spec. Steven Nelson, 26, of Dollar Bay were both listed in very serious condition Friday afternoon, said Michigan National Guard public affairs officer Capt. Aaron Jenkins.
Pvt. Joshua Colon, 20, of Grand Rapids was also injured but not in serious condition Friday, Jenkins said.
"It's not a common thing but it has happened before," Staff Sgt. Jason Boyd, a Michigan National Guard spokesman, said of the number of soldiers.
On Feb. 26, five members of the Guard were injured by an explosive in Kunduz Province, Afghanistan. They survived.
Boyd said the engineers' job is to check routes for possible explosives. He didn't know why they were on foot patrol.
"We mainly use vehicles that will detect the possibility of IEDs," he said. "They don't look under rocks. They look for wires sticking out of the ground and other warning signs. There may be disturbed concrete. There may be disturbed soil that wasn't there the day before."
The injured soldiers were transported to military medical facilities at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan.
If the soldiers’ injuries were deemed serious enough, they would be transported to the Army hospital in Landstuhl, Germany, Jenkins said.
As of Friday afternoon, none of the soldiers had been transported from Afghanistan.
The 1433rd Company has 90 soldiers and has been in Afghanistan for a full month, beginning in July. The company's year-long tour started in May with training, Jenkins said. The Michigan Army National Guard has about 1,500 soldiers currently deployed in Afghanistan.
Amy Biolchini covers Washtenaw County, health and environmental issues for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at (734) 623-2552, amybiolchini@annarbor.com or on Twitter The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Comments
SJ
Mon, Aug 6, 2012 : 5:26 p.m.
Many thanks to all of you who have posted comments expressing your concern for my son and the other soldiers. This has probably been the most difficult time of my life and your prayers and thoughts mean so much. Thank you, Shannon Jackson
Roncerz
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 9:43 p.m.
Tragic. Beyond sad. So incredibly sorry to read this. My thoughts and prayers are with these brave soldiers and their families. Every day--so many deaths, so many physically maimed and psychologically scarred for life with PTSD. It really hits home when it's someone from your own community. I am so frustrated with this war and Mr. Obama's escalation of troops there. It is such a waste of human life. I am proud of our troops and support them fully mainly by wanting them to come home now. This useless endeavor has gone on long enough and for what? To protect some poppy fields? Forget it. Bring the soldiers home NOW! Enough bloodshed and loss in the middle east. End this ridiculous war now.
Arborcomment
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 8:15 p.m.
Respectfuly, comments on our efforts in Afghanistan have no place on this page. Prayers for the soldiers and their families, and an acknowledgement of their service and sacrifice are what is needed here. If you feel the need to delve into strategic and/or policy decisions - do it in a letter to the editor or on another article. Families and friends of those killed or injured don't need to see debate - just support. OEF - 2001-2002, 2011.
Arborcomment
Mon, Aug 6, 2012 : 7:49 p.m.
SJ, wishing the best for you and your family. Speedy recovery for your son and staying safe for the rest of his deployment. He is part of the best trained, motivated, and equipped volunteer force in our history and very much appreciated.
SJ
Mon, Aug 6, 2012 : 5:24 p.m.
As the mother of this injured soldier, I agree with Arborcomment and that our personal/political views are not appropriate on this page. I truly appreciate the prayers and thoughts for not only my son, but for the soldier who lost his life and the others who were injured.
Arborcomment
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 10:14 p.m.
Sorry, hit the reply button a little too early. I understand your desire to discuss this war. I should have commented that this story is on the condition and status of those injured - not a debate on their deployment.
f4phantomII
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 10:05 p.m.
@Arborcomment, you are absolutely right.
Arborcomment
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 9:49 p.m.
Adam, if discussion is desired, I provided venues and methods where it could happen - in a more appropriate place.
Adam Betz
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 9:17 p.m.
I disagree. One way to honor Specialists McClain and Barnett is to discuss this war. It has again been brought home to Ypsilanti where news of the war often is hidden behind headlines of the economy and jobless numbers. Those are not life and death issues. Men and women in Afghanistan are. People can honor these men by discussing the sacrifices made by these guys and question why we are still there and if it is still a necessity to keep sending us over here. OEF 2002, 2003, Currently deployed OIF 2008
Huron74
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 6:27 p.m.
My heart goes out to the soldier and his family. How many more men and women is Obama gonna sacrifice for that worthless, contemptible, stuck-in-the-12th-century hell-hole?
Huron74
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 8:32 p.m.
Nope. Everything after 01-20-09 is wholly on him.
Adam Betz
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 6:37 p.m.
Huron74, I should remind you that it was not the Obama administration that began the nation building mission here.
Madeleine Borthwick
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 5:56 p.m.
My prayers go out to the families. this war has gone on for too d@**** long. 2014 is NOT an acceptable date to end this insanity. Mr. Obama, BRING THEM HOME. NOW. someone once told me that it's not possible to oppose the war and still get behind the soldiers. if that person should by chance come across this comment, since you wouldn't listen to anything I was saying, maybe now I can make my point without being shouted down. Whoever you are: Let me make something clear. I am going on record: I oppose this war with every fiber of my being. never wanted it. too many families have been plunged into grief. BUT. I support the soldiers. My pride in them runs deeper than I can say. So yes, it IS possible to support the soldiers AND oppose the war. it is not an "all-or-nothing" thing.
Adam Betz
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 6:36 p.m.
Madeleine...if we cut out now and left without continuing the efforts of building the Afghan Army and Police, our credibility as a responsible nation would be shattered for years and would be felt in more places than Afghanistan. Nation building was the wrong thing to do, but it's the path we set down so we have to fix what's broke int the most responsible and timely fashion possible. We are currently doing that. It takes time to close all these bases over here down and pull troops out. It's insane to think it happens overnight or in a matter of a few months.
DwightSchrute
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 2:48 p.m.
National freakin' Guard.
Madeleine Borthwick
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 5:57 p.m.
Dwight, could you please elaborate on this?
Jimmy McNulty
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 11:09 a.m.
Prayers for Spc. Barnett and for the family of Spc. McClain.
In doubt
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 10:46 a.m.
Sending prayers to all these young men and their families.
brian
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 4:13 a.m.
Hang in there young man. When are we going to say enough is enough and end these wars. The U.S. needs to stay out of other Countries problems. And don't tell me it's the war on terror. I don't buy it.
Bones
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 2:20 a.m.
God Bless Them all and the Family of the soldier who died.
justcurious
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 1:09 a.m.
We all need to pray for this young man and those that love him.
SJ
Mon, Aug 6, 2012 : 5:27 p.m.
Thank you so much.....Shannon Jackson
Adam Betz
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 9:21 p.m.
Praying won't help. These families will have expenses that are not paid for by the government. Setting up a monetary fund and donating to these men's families will do far more than prayer. I urge you to donate a few dollars for their travel costs as they travel back and forth to visit their Soldier in the hospital.