A new leg to stand on

Maj. (Dr.) Michael Charlton and Tech. Sgt. Judy Hickman examine the healing progress of the leg of an Iraqi policeman July 1 at Joint Base, Balad, Iraq. The injury is the result of an improvised explosive device attack earlier this year. Major Charlton, a 332nd Expeditionary Medical Operations Squadron orthopedic trauma surgeon, and Sergeant Hickman, a 332nd EMDOS orthopedic technician, are both deployed from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Julianne Showalter)

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A new leg to stand on

Orthopedic technicians wheel an Iraqi policeman into the surgical area July 2 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The policeman needs follow-up surgery on a lower extremity injury that is not healing correctly. The bones in his lower leg have failed to rejoin, requiring a bone graft to be done. A rod and screws will be used to help the patient regain the ability to walk again. The technicians are with the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Operations Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Julianne Showalter)

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A new leg to stand on

Maj. (Dr.) Michael Charlton draws out a procedure plan before commencing surgery July 2 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. A new rod and screws, along with a bone graft taken from the patient's hip, will be used to correct an injury that has not healed properly. The corrective surgery should allow the patient to walk again. Doctor Charlton is a 332nd Expeditionary Medical Operations Squadron orthopedic trauma surgeon deployed from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Julianne Showalter)

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A new leg to stand on

Orthopedic technicians scrub down the legs of an Iraqi policeman July 2 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, prior to surgery. A betadine scrub of all surgical surfaces is critical to preventing infections and aiding in the recovery of the patient. The technicians are with the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Operations Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Julianne Showalter)

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A new leg to stand on

Maj. (Dr.) Michael Charlton and Capt. Michael Raethka examine a real-time X-ray during surgery July 2 at Joint Base Balad. The portable X-ray machine allows doctors and technicians to see exactly what they are doing step-by-step to ensure the placement of rods and screws is precise. Doctor Charlton is a 332nd Expeditionary Medical Operations Squadron orthopedic trauma surgeon deployed from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Captain Raethka is a 332nd EMDOS physician's assistant deployed from Travis Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Julianne Showalter)

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A new leg to stand on

Maj. (Dr.) Michael Charlton and Capt. Michael Raethka check a rod against the leg of a patient prior to boring out the center to make a canal for the permanent rod July 7 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The rod will stabilize the leg and help with healing. The patient should regain the ability to walk. Doctor Charlton is a 332nd Expeditionary Medical Operations Squadron orthopedic trauma surgeon deployed from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Captain Raethka is a 332nd EMDOS physician's assistant deployed from Travis Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Julianne Showalter)

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A new leg to stand on

An Iraqi policeman looks over various physical therapy exercises July 4 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The therapy will help his leg to heal properly following surgery. The goal of each exercise is to strengthen various muscle groups and surrounding tissues so they will be able to hold the weight of his as he regains the ability to walk. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Julianne Showalter)

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A new leg to stand on

Published July 16, 2008

A new leg to stand on

A new leg to stand on

A new leg to stand on

A new leg to stand on

A new leg to stand on

A new leg to stand on

A new leg to stand on

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