June 30, 2010 8:29 AM
- Text
June Marks Deadliest Month in Afghanistan War
(CBS)
America's longest war is growing more deadly, reports CBS News correspondent Mandy Clark. U.S. and NATO troops are being killed and injured almost daily. In June, at least 100 coalition troops have been killed, including 54 Americans. Nearly 400 Americans were wounded.
Corpsman Robert Scott Elder helped treat his injured colleagues when Marines pushed into Marjah last February. Now he's a casualty himself at Bagram's military hospital.
"I remember walking up and my gunner was bleeding and so was I and I reached in my pocket and I was pulling out gauze and wrapped my gunner's up," Elder said.
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Improvised explosive devices, or IEDs placed by the side of the road are the fastest-growing danger troops face. Last year, the number of IED attacks doubled to 8,159 in 2009. They are more deadly, accounting for two-thirds of all causalities.
Staff Sgt. Nicholas Richards survived two IED strikes with no broken bones, but has a traumatic brain injury.
"I am not able to remember much so I have to write it down so when I wake up from a nap they can remind me," Richards said.
June has been a bitter month, but commanders here say increased fighting will mean increased casualties.
Typically, for every death there are two injured and the number of wounded is expected to triple by the end of the summer.
And hundreds more could join injured troops here. Others head back to the frontline to a fight that has never been as dangerous.
Corpsman Robert Scott Elder helped treat his injured colleagues when Marines pushed into Marjah last February. Now he's a casualty himself at Bagram's military hospital.
"I remember walking up and my gunner was bleeding and so was I and I reached in my pocket and I was pulling out gauze and wrapped my gunner's up," Elder said.
Special Report: Afghanistan
Senate Panel Votes to Confirm Petraeus
Improvised explosive devices, or IEDs placed by the side of the road are the fastest-growing danger troops face. Last year, the number of IED attacks doubled to 8,159 in 2009. They are more deadly, accounting for two-thirds of all causalities.
Staff Sgt. Nicholas Richards survived two IED strikes with no broken bones, but has a traumatic brain injury.
"I am not able to remember much so I have to write it down so when I wake up from a nap they can remind me," Richards said.
June has been a bitter month, but commanders here say increased fighting will mean increased casualties.
Typically, for every death there are two injured and the number of wounded is expected to triple by the end of the summer.
And hundreds more could join injured troops here. Others head back to the frontline to a fight that has never been as dangerous.
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