Airman fights his way back to Iraq after serious injury

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Shaun Emery
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) --  Although a rocket attack cut his time short on his first deployment, an Airman with the 64th Helicopter Maintenance Unit here pledged to himself that he would endure whatever pain was necessary to get back in the fight.

Following a year-and-a-half recovery from serious injuries to his hand which could have ended his Air Force career, Senior Airman Douglas Batchelder, an armament systems journeyman, is back in Iraq.

In November of 2003, he arrived at Baghdad International Airport to begin his first deployment. After a couple hours of inprocessing and a welcomed nap, Airman Batchelder reported to duty. His four hours on station would be all he would see of his rotation.

“My commander had given me a handful of keys, and I stuck them in my pocket,” said Airman Batchelder, recalling the day’s event. “When I took them out of my pocket, some fell to the ground.”

The events that would follow still linger in Airman Batchelder’s mind. Just as he bent over to pick up the fallen keys, a 122-mm rocket tore through his tent, careened off his back, hit the ground and exploded.

“I blinked as the rocket exploded, so all I remember is a bright flash though my eyelids,” Airman Batchelder said.

The concussion ruptured his eardrums. He described the feeling as being enveloped in “silent chaos.” Pieces of debris were flying everywhere and fire engulfed his tent.

Airman Batchelder suffered numerous injuries from shrapnel, the most serious to his right hand. Pararescuemen on site quickly provided aid and he was whisked away to the hospital where fortune smiled on him.

“The doctor (who) saw me when I got to the hospital said he had also just arrived,” he said, “and as luck would have it, he was a hand surgeon.”

Airman Batchelder received his first surgery in Baghdad. He was brought to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, where he received his second surgery.

After returning to the U.S., Airman Batchelder would have to make the decision that would ultimately shape his Air Force career -- separate from the Air Force or stay in. Airman Batchelder decided that getting out was not an option.

“I was too young to stop doing something that I really love,” he said. “The therapy was difficult, but I stayed positive because I wanted a chance to get back to the desert to do my job.”

Airman Batchelder has had five surgeries on his hand which has 17 screws, metal plates and pins holding it together.

Airman Batchelder said he is excited to be back in Iraq contributing to the Air Force mission.

“I know my loved ones back home are concerned for me, but this was something I really wanted to do,” he said.