The Special Operations Surgical Team with the 720th Operations Support Squadron — part of the 24th Special Operations Wing, 720th Special Tactics Group at Hurlburt Field, Florida — operates on a local fighter who was wounded fighting the Islamic State last summer. Left to right, emergency room nurse Capt. Cade Reedy, nurse anesthetist Lt. Col. Matthew Uber, emergency medicine physician Lt. Col. Ben Mitchell, and emergency room nurse Maj. Nelson Pacheco. The SOST spent eight weeks near the front lines treating more than 100 patients per week, nearly around the clock. (Air Force)Capt. Cade Reedy, an emergency room nurse with the Special Operations Surgical Team, gives blood to save a local fighter who was badly wounded fighting the Islamic State and was near death. Reedy's unhesitating donation saved the fighter's life — and after that, the local fighters trusted the team completely and freely gave them whatever supplies they needed. (Air Force)The Special Operations Surgical Team during a reenlistment. Standing at back, left to right, emergency medicine physician Lt. Col. Ben Mitchell, emergency room nurse Capt. Cade Reedy, emergency room nurse Maj. Nelson Pacheco, nurse anesthetist Lt. Col. Matthew Uber. Kneeling, surgeon Maj. Justin Manley, left, and respiratory therapist Tech. Sgt. Richard Holguin, right. (Air Force)The trauma bay the Special Operations Surgical Team set up in an abandoned home a few kilometers from the front lines in the fight against the Islamic State. (Air Force)
