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Video by Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Crane
KYARNG G3 Podcast: Fix Bayonets | Ep. 3: The Battle of Salman Pak Pt. 2
Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs Office
Feb. 5, 2026 | 01:16:33
KYARNG G3 Podcast: Fix Bayonets | Ep. 3: The Battle of Salman Pak Pt. 2

In Episode 3 of “Fix Bayonets,” U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Casey Cooper, operations sergeant major for the 75th Troop Command, Kentucky Army National Guard, shares his firsthand account of small-unit combat operations during the 2005 Battle of Salman Pak (Also referred to as the Palm Sunday Ambush) in Iraq.

Hosted by Sgt. 1st Class Clay Benningfield, Cooper recounts his experiences and lessons learned during one of the National Guard’s largest firefights of the modern era.

As call sign “Raven 42,” then a Specialist, Cooper identified—through after-action reviews—adhered to tactics, techniques, and procedures that enabled his unit to operate effectively under intense combat conditions and a high-stress deployment.

This conversation focuses on the key values of squad-level leadership, rapid decision-making under fire, developing trust within the formation, and preparing Soldiers for the realities of close combat. Nein reflects on how those life-and-death moments shaped his approach to training and leadership both in combat and throughout his continued service.

For information concerning home station training resources, please contact the J3 Training LNO at: ng.ky.kyarng.list.j3-training-lno@army.mil

Fix Bayonets! = Real stories from the Kentucky National Guard.

Produced by: Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs

Location: Boone National Guard Center, Frankfort, Ky.

Recorded and edited by: Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Crane

Date Recorded: Feb 5, 2026
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Edwards AFB COVID-19 Vaccine Center

 

What:   Comirnaty (Pfizer/BioNTech)  Fact Sheet: www.cvdvaccine.com                             

•Primary Series (2 doses) – for all 12 and older
•3rd dose (28 days after 2nd dose) – for Immunocompromised
•Booster dose (6 mo after final dose)–
•For anyone 65 and older
•For 18-65 y.o. with high risk medical condition or high risk for exposure
•Pediatric doses (5-11 y.o.) – pending, will be available via primary care provider

Where: Main MDG campus, Bldg 5525, 30 Nightingale Road

When:  By appointment. Sign up at https://health.mil/dap.html

•Walk in available during operating hours

Who:    All AD/Beneficiaries/DoD & NAF Employees

 

OFF-BASE: Free and readily available to everyone at all pharmacies/vaccine centers

•To find a location near you: Text your ZIP CODE to GETVAX (438829) or VACUNA (822862)
•Or visit Vaccines.gov or Myturn.ca.gov

 

•For AD/Reservists/Beneficiaries – bring in documentation to Vaccine Center or email it to

 usaf.edwards.412-mdg.list.covid-clinic@mail.mil

For Digital Vaccine Record Request:

If you got your COVID-19 vaccine through the state, public health department or pharmacy, you may be able to request a Digital Vaccine record through the California Immunizations Registry (CAIR) by visiting https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/

If you got your COVID-19 vaccine through the 412th MDG/Edwards AFB, you may request your record be sent to CAIR in order to obtain a Digital Vaccine Record, using the following steps:

1. Log into MHS Genesis Patient Portal (use DS Login or CAC card): https://patientportal.mhsgenesis.health.mil/

2. Send a message to “USAF EDWARDS PHARMACY COMMUNICATION” with phone number and/or email to associate with your vaccine record request.

3. Wait for a reply to your message before requesting through CAIR site (above). 

**Note – it is taking a few weeks to process requests due to overwhelming numbers and backlog. This is a manual data entry push, so please be patient.

Related Websites:

1. Vaccine Safety: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety.html

2. Vaccine Booster information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html

3. Link for Parents on COVID vaccine from AAP: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/COVID-19/Pages/The-Science-Behind-the-COVID-19-Vaccine-Parent-FAQs.aspx