Buzz
When you see a military vehicle, what’s your immediate thought? Conflict? Chaos? Does it feel like trouble is brewing?
This perception exists partly because whenever soldiers appear in their intimidating uniforms with weapons ready, the outcome is rarely peaceful. While this might be true, what else can you expect? Their primary role is to protect national interests and policies, which sometimes involves engaging in warfare.
However, the military’s contributions extend far beyond combat. They frequently perform commendable acts that often go unrecognized. Here, we’ll highlight some of the most remarkable achievements of the armed forces.
10. Establishing Temporary Medical Facilities for Patients
The COVID-19 pandemic, with its overwhelming demand for hospital beds, medical care, and treatment, remains vivid in our memories.
As hospitals faced a surge in daily admissions, they quickly reached capacity. The military intervened by deploying the Army Corps of Engineers to transform large venues like hotels, dormitories, and convention centers into makeshift healthcare facilities.
Military medical personnel were also sent to civilian hospitals to support overburdened healthcare workers. Beyond treating COVID-19 patients, they assisted in emergency rooms, conducted surgeries, and provided care for trauma cases, functioning just like regular medical staff.
9. Combating Wildfires
Forest fires can ignite from various causes, including lightning, extreme heat, unattended campfires, and careless smoking.
Although it may seem contradictory, some wildfire management teams allow fires to burn naturally, as this can benefit the ecosystem. They don’t ignore the situation but instead establish containment lines to restrict the fire’s spread. Still, an unchecked wildfire can wreak havoc on wildlife, towns, ecosystems, and communities alike.
The U.S. military has frequently been called upon to assist in wildfire suppression efforts. These courageous troops offer aerial support, such as dropping fire retardants and water, conduct on-the-ground firefighting, and evacuate injured firefighters from dangerous areas.
During the 2021 Dixie Fire in California’s Plumas National Forest, which burned for over two months, the U.S. Army arrived equipped with chainsaws, Pulaski tools, and other gear to tackle hotspots. They also played a crucial role in controlling the Bootleg Fire in Beatty, Oregon, and the Lick Creek Fire in Washington state.
8. Rescuing Flood Victims
Intense rainfall and hurricanes often lead to severe flooding, inundating homes and causing widespread destruction. In such crises, the military steps in to help evacuate those affected.
Their life-saving missions include swift water rescues for those caught in fast-moving floods, aerial hoist operations, and deploying tactical vehicles to navigate flooded areas in search of survivors. Additionally, the military supports large-scale evacuations to ensure as many people as possible are moved to safety.
Earlier this year, when intense rainfall triggered flash floods in Eastern Kentucky, the National Guard utilized Black Hawk helicopters to rescue and evacuate those affected.
Beyond domestic efforts, the U.S. military also participates in global relief operations, aiding flood-stricken nations with search and rescue missions.
7. Removing Debris in the Aftermath of Natural Disasters
Tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes often leave behind massive amounts of debris, which must be cleared to allow residents to return home and cities to begin rebuilding.
In such situations, the military often sends teams equipped with chainsaws, skid loaders, and other tools to remove fallen trees, rubble, and debris from affected areas. Their work isn’t limited to land; they also clear water bodies, like Lake Martin in Alabama, and shorelines to eliminate hazards and ensure safe waterways.
Additionally, troops can establish security zones to restrict access to areas where local authorities suspect the release of toxic substances or hazardous materials into the environment.
In 2015, as Hurricane Joaquin approached, the New York National Guard proactively cleared debris from Normans Kill and Esopus Creeks to prevent flooding. This effort involved removing trees and other debris that could damage bridges, homes, and roads as water levels rose.
6. Delivering Food and Humanitarian Aid
During natural disasters or conflicts, people are often too focused on survival to worry about their next meal. Food security, a basic human necessity, is easily overlooked. Without it, economic and social stability can collapse, leading to increased violence and crime.
The military showcases its commitment to aiding communities by distributing essential supplies like food, water, and blankets during emergencies. Domestically, National Guard units have provided critical assistance to areas hit by hurricanes, tropical storms, and tornadoes.
During Hurricane Sandy’s devastation in Queens and Staten Island, Marines delivered vital supplies, including food and water. They also collaborated with USAID to transport relief materials to St. Martin and Dominica, which were severely impacted by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
Internationally, U.S. military personnel have extended support to nations like the Philippines, Nepal, Japan, Haiti, and various African countries, providing food and humanitarian aid in the wake of typhoons, earthquakes, and floods.
5. Combating Piracy
The Wellerman song, a viral sea shanty, evokes romanticized visions of sailing and adventure. However, the reality of sea travel is far less idyllic, often involving treacherous waters and the threat of pirates.
Since the mid-2000s, Somali pirates have plagued key shipping routes in the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden. They have attacked oil tankers, cargo ships, and taken hostages, demanding hefty ransoms for their release.
The U.S. Navy, alongside nations such as Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Spain, established a coalition to combat piracy. This joint effort patrols these waters and rescues hijacked vessels. In 2009, U.S. Navy SEALs famously rescued Captain Richard Phillips, shooting three pirates and capturing a fourth. This heroic event inspired the Hollywood film *Captain Phillips*.
Thanks to the multinational naval task force’s efforts in monitoring, inspecting, and intercepting suspicious ships, piracy incidents have significantly decreased. This has brought immense relief to global shipping companies, which previously lost billions to pirate activities.
4. Combating Illegal Drug Trafficking
President Richard Nixon declared a war on drugs in the 1970s, and decades later, this battle continues to be fought.
The majority of illegal drugs entering the United States originate from South America. To evade detection, smugglers operate within a vast seven-million-square-mile Transit Zone, encompassing the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
Given the complexity and cost of dismantling trafficking networks, U.S. law enforcement and allied nations face significant challenges in curbing drug smuggling. The U.S. Coast Guard plays a crucial role by surveilling air and sea routes in this zone, intercepting large drug shipments before they reach U.S. shores, where they are often divided into smaller quantities for distribution.
In February 2022, the Coast Guard confiscated 30 metric tons of marijuana and cocaine, offloading the seized drugs in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Such successful operations, along with numerous others, contribute to a safer and healthier America.
3. Protecting U.S. Embassies Abroad
U.S. embassies and consulates abroad play a vital role in fostering diplomatic relations, safeguarding national interests, and ensuring the rights of American citizens living or traveling in foreign countries.
The staff at these embassies have families and loved ones waiting for them back home. So, who ensures their safety during attacks? Who safeguards classified materials critical to national security?
The Marines, naturally.
In 2021, Marines courageously maintained control at Kabul Airport amidst chaotic crowds and a devastating suicide bombing that claimed some of their comrades. Despite the danger, they successfully evacuated 124,000 individuals, including U.S. citizens and Afghans, from Afghanistan. This is just one example of how our service members risk their lives for others.
2. Addressing Oil Spills
For marine and environmental enthusiasts, here’s some relevant information. Every year, oil spills occur in U.S. waters due to failed drilling operations or damaged pipelines. While this is concerning, the military plays a key role in mitigating these disasters.
Oil spills can wreak havoc on marine ecosystems and ruin beach outings. They impair sea animals’ ability to regulate body temperature, raising the risk of hypothermia. Additionally, oil toxicity can destroy plant life, harm marine organisms, and render seafood unsafe for consumption.
The Coast Guard collaborates with NOAA specialists to mitigate the impact of oil spills on both people and the environment. They can remove oil from the water’s surface before it hits the shore, perform controlled burns to eliminate it, or use chemical dispersants to break it into smaller particles that microbes can digest.
In 2010, following the Deepwater Horizon explosion, which released massive amounts of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico, the U.S. Coast Guard spearheaded cleanup efforts. They utilized all three methods to effectively remove the oil from the water.
1. Conducting Search and Rescue Missions
We all enjoy high-stakes, action-packed films, don’t we? Imagine a civilian or soldier trapped in a politically volatile country under threat, and a rescue team is dispatched to save them. This isn’t about Ben Affleck’s *Argo* but more akin to *Rules of Engagement* featuring Samuel L. Jackson and Tommy Lee Jones (an iconic pair) or *Tears of the Sun* with Bruce Willis and Monica Bellucci.
In real-life scenarios far removed from fiction, covert operations are incredibly perilous. They demand rapid decision-making, composure under pressure, and the willingness to risk injury to save lives. Specialized teams use advanced equipment to locate and rescue distressed individuals, provide medical aid, and ensure their safe evacuation.
In 2009, a U.S. Army unit in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province was ambushed by Taliban forces. The Quick Reaction Force (QRF) sent to assist also came under heavy fire, while Apache helicopters faced relentless machine gun attacks. B-1 bombers were unable to intervene effectively due to the risk of harming civilians or friendly troops.
The unit summoned the Combat Search and Rescue team, which flew Blackhawk helicopters at low altitude to pinpoint the enemy’s location. Once identified, the team directed artillery fire to neutralize the threat.
Search and rescue missions aren’t limited to combat zones. They also include responding to natural disasters on land or aiding distressed boaters at sea, showcasing the versatility and bravery of our military personnel.
