|
Wednesday, 21 October 2009 12:45 |
I deployed to Afghanistan as an International Police Advisor July of 2008. Knowing that communication with my family was going to be limited, I purchased a SPOT device before deployment. My hopes were that I could send an "OK" message back home from time to time allowing my family and friends some peace of mind. For the last 16 months I have traveled through numerous Districts and Provinces within Afghanistan in an effort to build a secure and competent police force. My SPOT device has sent numerous “OK” messages back home to my family and friends. On 5-OCT my SPOT device was put to the ultimate test. I had programmed my “HELP” function to notify the TOC (Tactical Operations Center) within my region in cases of emergency. While traveling to a remote training site, the second vehicle in our convoy had a severe mechanical breakdown. We pulled to the shoulder of the road in a very remote mountain canyon. We attempted to reach the TOC with both radios inside our up-armored truck. Neither radio worked. We all had cell phones, but no signal. The high mountain tops were blocking every form of communication we had. We were suddenly stranded 40 minutes from the closest safe-haven with no communication. As a last resort I activated the “HELP” function on my SPOT device. After a few minutes stranded on the side of the road we began to tow the stranded vehicle up the mountain pass. We traveled at a very slow pace for several miles before we were able to get a signal on a cell phone. My “HELP” request had already alerted the TOC to my location and request for help. With grid coordinates from my SPOT the TOC had already dispatched a QRF (Quick Reaction Force) from two different sites to our location. It was a great feeling to know that help was on the way and someone was tracking our every movement via my SPOT. After towing the stranded vehicle for over twenty minutes we were finally met by two separate teams that safely escorted us to our destination. With the “HELP” of my SPOT device we were able to request assistance and make it safely back to our training site. I have always been a proponent of SPOT. Being a motorcycle adventurist, the technology and assistance the SPOT offers is well worth the expense. Thank you for offering such a low cost service to the general public. As a result of my experience, I will be a life time owner and subscriber to your technology. Thanks again. Your technology is saving lives. -Greg Beaty
|
