Scenario:A Young black Soldier prepares to board a plane in his U.S. Army fatigues. 48hrs later he lands in Bagram Afghanistan, day setting, as he grabs his rife and bags a explosion goes off, he runs to the nearest bunker for shelter.
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A Young black Soldier prepares to board a plane in his U.S. Army fatigues. 48hrs later he lands in Bagram Afghanistan, day setting, as he grabs his rife and bags a explosion goes off, he runs to the nearest bunker for shelter.
Matt Harper
He is a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter crew chief in Afghanistan. He is brave, focused, and determined. Matt navigates the challenges of serving in a wartorn country, maintaining focus on his mission and protecting his teammates. He reflects on his journey from training in Fort Benning to deploying in Bagram, facing harsh conditions and deadly threats. Despite the dangers, Matt remains committed to his duties and colleagues, pushing through fatigue and stress.
David Bell
He is a U.S. Army pilot assigned to fly David Bell is a U.S. Airman working on repairing aircraft at Bagram Airfield. He is resourceful, diligent, and detailoriented. Bell's primary focus is ensuring the airfield remains operational, despite security threats and infrastructure issues. His dedication to maintaining order and efficiency helps sustain operations at the airfield. Bell’s efforts contribute significantly to supporting both ground troops like Matt Harper’s team and maintaining air support.
Sergeant Jackson
He is a U.S. Army sergeant and Matt Harper's team leader. He is experienced, strategic, and authoritative. With multiple deployments under his belt, Jackson brings a wealth of experience to the mission in Afghanistan. His leadership is respected by Matt and the team, and he ensures that operations are executed with precision and effectiveness. Known for his ability to remain calm under pressure, he plays a crucial role in motivating and guiding the team through the dangers of war.
I put on my Army fatigues, grabbed my bags, and headed out the door.
"Bye Mom," I said, giving my mother a kiss on the cheek.
"I’m going to miss you, Matt," she said, tears welling up in her eyes.
"I’m going to miss you too," I said.
But I knew why I was doing this.
I was doing this for my country, for the freedom we all enjoy.
"Your plane is supposed to leave in two hours," she said, giving me one last hug.
"I know," I said, walking out the door with my mother following me.
It took about thirty minutes to get to the airport.
Once I got there, I checked in and gave them my bags.
I walked over to the gate and sat down in an empty seat.
About an hour later, they called my group and we all stood up and began walking down the jetway.
I took my seat on the plane and strapped myself in.
The pilot came over the intercom and let us know that we would be taking off in about ten minutes.
Sure enough, about ten minutes later, the plane started moving down the runway.
It picked up speed and before I knew it, we were airborne.
"Hello everyone, this is your pilot David Bell speaking.
We are going to be flying to Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan.
I lean back in the uncomfortable airline seat, shifting my weight to find a bearable position.
The cabin lights dim as we cruise at altitude.
Around me, other soldiers do the same - some already asleep, others staring blankly ahead.
The engine drone becomes a steady white noise.
My mind drifts to the training at Fort Benning, wondering if it prepared us enough for what's ahead.
A bout of turbulence jolts me, and I grip the armrests.
The flight attendant walks past, offering water.
I decline, close my eyes, and try to force myself to sleep, knowing I'll need every minute of rest before landing in Bagram.
I shift in the cramped seat, watching shadows dance across the cabin ceiling.
The plane's vibrations rattle through my bones as I pull my jacket tighter.
Around me, soldiers snore or flip through magazines, but sleep evades me.
My mind keeps circling back to Mom's tearful face at the airport.
I check my watch - still hours to go.
The cabin air grows colder, and my muscles ache from sitting.
David Bell's voice crackles over the intercom, updating our position.
Exhaustion finally creeps in as the engines drone steadily.
"Hey, Matt," a voice whispers from the seat next to me.
I turn to see Private Jenkins, his eyes wide with something between excitement and fear.
"Did you hear about the intel they found last week? Apparently, there's a new threat we weren't briefed on."
I lean closer, my voice hushed.
"What kind of threat?"
Jenkins glances around nervously before responding.
"From what I heard, there's been increased Taliban activity near the airfield perimeter. They've been attacking supply convoys more frequently."
He leans back in his seat, his eyes darting towards the front of the cabin.
The dim lighting casts shadows on his face.
I grip the armrest tighter, remembering the counter-IED drills from Fort Benning.
Suddenly, a patch of turbulence jolts the plane, and Jenkins' words cut off mid-sentence.
The old C-17's metal frame creaks and vibrates around us.
I force myself to take slow breaths, focusing on the steady hum of the engines.
The reality of what awaits us looms, unspoken but palpable in the silence.
As the bunker's steel door slams behind me, I catch my breath in the dimly lit concrete shelter.
The explosion's ringing slowly fades from my ears while dust settles around us.
Through the haze, I make out Sergeant Jackson's weathered face as he moves purposefully between the huddled soldiers.
He stops at my position, checking my gear with practiced hands.
"Harper, you're with me," he says, pulling out a worn map of Bagram's perimeter.
His finger traces routes between buildings as he explains patrol patterns and known sniper positions.
