How This Special Forces Combat Cameraman Survived An IED In Afghanistan | War Journal

Key Concepts

• Combat Camera: Soldiers documenting combat situations for operational or historical purposes.
• Improvised Explosive Device (IED): A homemade bomb used in warfare.
• Cricothyrotomy (Crike): A surgical procedure to create an airway in the throat.
• Plate Carrier: Protective vest designed to hold ballistic plates.
• Traumatic Amputation: Loss of a limb due to severe injury.
• Purple Heart: A U.S. military decoration awarded to those wounded or killed in action.
• Bronze Star: A U.S. military decoration awarded for heroic or meritorious achievement in connection with military operations against an opposing force.
• Public Affairs Sergeant: A role involving safeguarding information and documenting military operations.
• Sensitive Site Exploitation (SSE): A procedure to gather intelligence from a cleared enemy location.
• De Oppresso Liber: The motto of the U.S. Army Special Forces, meaning "To Free the Oppressed."
• Airborne Qualified: Soldiers who have completed airborne training and are qualified to parachute.
• Sin Eater: A metaphorical term for someone who endures hardship or sacrifice for the benefit of others.

Combat Camera and Personal Sacrifice

This video transcript details the experiences of Ian Ives, a former U.S. Army Public Affairs Non-Commissioned Officer, often referred to as combat camera. Ives' career, which spanned approximately 12 years, was cut short in 2019 due to injuries sustained from an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Afghanistan.

The Role of Combat Camera

Ives explains that combat camera soldiers document combat situations for both operational and historical purposes. This documentation is crucial for understanding mission outcomes, identifying lessons learned, and preserving historical records. He highlights that in special operations environments, a significant portion of his job involved this documentation, including procedures like Sensitive Site Exploitation (SSE). SSE involves thoroughly searching cleared enemy compounds for intelligence, weapons caches, and other valuable information, all of which must be meticulously documented.

The IED Incident

On October 5th, Ives recounts a mission where he had a premonition of danger, specifically questioning the nature of a white flag displayed, which he suspected might be an ISIS flag. Shortly after, he stepped on an IED. He describes the immediate aftermath, initially believing he was in heaven, only to realize the horrific reality of his injuries. He heard his comrades screaming and realized he was in "hell."

IED Tactics and Intentions

Ives elaborates on potential IED tactics employed by the Taliban at the time. One method involved using pressure plates placed a significant distance from the actual IED. This was intended to detonate the device when Afghan partner forces, traveling with U.S. special operations teams, stepped on them. The intention was for the IED to primarily harm the American soldiers. Another potential detonation method mentioned was by cell phone.

Immediate Medical Intervention

Following the blast, Ives' friend performed a cricothyrotomy (crike) on him, creating an emergency airway by cutting beneath his Adam's apple and inserting a tube to facilitate breathing. Despite his severe injuries, Ives understood the procedure and was not pleased about it, but it was life-saving. He was then administered medication and later woke up a month later at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington D.C.

The Impact of Combat Gear

Ives emphasizes the life-saving role of his combat gear. His helmet sustained shrapnel impacts, causing superficial wounds to his head, but it prevented more severe cranial injuries. His plate carrier also performed its function effectively, protecting his vital organs from immediate damage. He notes that in combat, the value or expense of gear is irrelevant; all damaged equipment is treated the same and often cut off to provide medical aid.

Severe Injuries and Complications

The IED blast resulted in extensive injuries, including facial trauma, airway damage, a traumatic amputation of his arm, and the loss of approximately half of his quadriceps in his right leg. A significant and life-threatening complication was an infection from bacteria present in the Afghan dirt. Ives credits the specific doctor assigned to him at Walter Reed, who was an expert on that particular infection, with saving his life.

The Psychological Toll of Recovery

While the physical pain was immense, Ives found the hospital stay to be the most challenging aspect of his experience. He clarifies that the trauma of the explosion itself did not cause his bad dreams or PTSD; rather, it was the prolonged period of immobility and inability to speak for about a month that was psychologically devastating. He admits that even now, certain comfortable positions can trigger memories of his hospital confinement.

Prosthetic Rehabilitation

Ives received his first prosthetic relatively quickly. Many of his surgical interventions were aimed at facilitating prosthetic fitting and restoring functionality, including dental work. He arrived at Walter Reed in October and by March, he was being fitted for a basic, body-powered prosthetic. Despite its simplicity, he was ecstatic to have an arm again after five months without one.

Awards and Recognition

Ives has received multiple Purple Hearts for being wounded in action. He also received a Bronze Star, not for being injured, but for his performance as a public affairs sergeant, accompanying Green Berets on missions and executing his duties effectively. He expresses a complex relationship with the Purple Heart, acknowledging it as a symbol of the enemy's success against him and a reminder of his career being cut short, while also taking pride in it. He views his role as supporting special forces operators and integrating with them, striving to be a master of that support function.

Motivation for Service

Ives' desire to serve stemmed from a childhood fascination with superheroes and a strong sense of wanting to "do the right thing," which was further amplified by the 9/11 attacks. He enlisted in the Army in 2010, initially serving as a medical soldier. However, he found himself drawn to field operations rather than hospital work.

Transition to Public Affairs

After about 2.5 to 3 years in a traditional Army role, Ives sought a career change. He was presented with the option of public affairs, which appealed to his desire to be a "jack of all trades" and experience different aspects of military service. He attended public affairs school and was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division.

Special Forces Assignment

Still seeking a more impactful role, Ives applied for an opening at First Special Forces Group. He was selected for the assignment and spent the remainder of his career as a public affairs sergeant with them. He notes that his Canon camera, which he had with him during the IED blast, was remarkably resilient, sustaining only a cracked lens. This camera was later presented to him as a gift. He humorously states the camera "cost him an arm and an eye" to acquire from the Army. He also reflects that the IED was likely designed for unarmored vehicles, and he bore the brunt of its force.

Public Affairs in Special Operations

Ives further breaks down the public affairs role in special operations into two main areas:

1. Public Domain: This involves media relations, facilitating media access to units, and responding to media inquiries.
2. Information Safeguarding: This critical aspect ensures that special operations forces soldiers' identities and operational details are protected from falling into the wrong hands.
3. Documentation: As previously mentioned, this involves recording missions for historical and operational analysis, including SSE.

The Significance of Documentation

Ives reiterates the importance of documenting missions for historical purposes and for analyzing events, whether they go exceptionally well or poorly. This documentation provides tangible proof of actions taken and methodologies employed.

A Symbol of Liberation: The Chain

Ives shares a poignant story about a piece of chain he keeps. During a mission to free political prisoners from the Taliban, he was filming while his team removed chains from approximately 20 individuals. A fellow soldier playfully stuffed a piece of chain into his cargo pocket, which Ives initially mistook for trash. Upon returning, his buddy explained the profound significance: the Special Forces motto is "De Oppresso Liber" (To Free the Oppressed), and this chain was a literal symbol of someone his team had liberated.

Decision to Retire

In the year leading up to his retirement at the end of 2021, several factors became apparent. He was advised against continuing airborne operations due to his injuries. Furthermore, a planned training trip to Nepal with his Afghanistan team highlighted his physical limitations. The Army's concern about his readiness for mountain training underscored the reality that he could no longer perform his duties without potentially becoming a liability.

Transition to Civilian Life and Mentorship

After discussing his options with his wife, who also has a public affairs background, they decided to relocate to Fort Knox, Kentucky. Ives then took on the role of Media Relations Officer at U.S. Army Cadet Command. He sees this as an opportunity to mentor the next generation of soldiers, emphasizing empathy, compassion, and mission-driven leadership.

Sacrifice and the "Sin Eater" Analogy

When asked about his sacrifice, Ives uses the metaphor of a "sin eater," someone who endures hardship and takes on the burdens that others avoid, for the betterment of society. He states he would willingly lose his arm again if it meant preserving the country, protecting his fellow soldiers, and shielding others from similar experiences. He believes in the cause of making the country a safer place for all Americans.

Conclusion: Resilience and Purpose

Ian Ives' story is a testament to resilience, the importance of documentation in military operations, and the profound personal sacrifices made by service members. Despite enduring severe injuries and the loss of limbs, he has found new purpose in mentoring future leaders, embodying the spirit of service and sacrifice. His experiences highlight the dual nature of public affairs in special operations: the public-facing role and the critical, often unseen, work of safeguarding information and documenting history.