Oskaloosa Native Injured In IED Attack Is Recovering In Germany

Tyler Sirovy with Afghan children. (photo submitted)

Oskaloosa, Iowa- Oskaloosa native Tyler Sirovy is recovering from injuries he suffered from an IED attack on Tuesday.His mom Sara Crosby was able to talk with Tyler today by phone in Germany.

Tyler was flown to Germany last night from Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan.

Tyler was driving an MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle on patrol and was in the process of returning to camp. The four soldiers were traveling in the protected vehicle when the IED was detonated under their MRAP. All four soldiers were injured in the attack. Tyler and his team members were taken to Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan.

Sirovy did have a breathing tube for a time, but that has been removed. He suffered a broken jaw and an injury from biting through his tongue. He fractured one leg, his right lower arm is fractured, and he has a fractured vertebrae in his lower back. Other injuries include a bruised brain. Because of the head injury, he is suffering from some short term memory loss. His sense of humor is still intact according to his mom, ‘I see that I’ve been injured’ Tyler told her. Sara said they had a nice conversation by phone today, and that even with the swollen tongue it still sounded like him.

Tyler Sirovy (right) helping to search caves in Afghanistan (photo submitted)

“That was the greatest gift to be able to hear his voice”, Sara said of her phone conversation with Tyler. “He’s doing what he loved; he’s probably ready to get out of that bed and continue on.” Sara said of her son.

Tyler should soon be loaded up and flown to Walter Reed Army Medical Center , even as early as tomorrow.

Sara Crosby has been in contact with a couple of the other mom’s who had sons in the MRAP vehicle at the time of the attack. Sara did say that the soldier in the passenger side of the vehicle did have more injuries than Tyler did, because the weapon detonated nearer to that point. Another of the passengers in the vehicle has been treated and will be released back to light duty.

“Facebook has been amazing for the prayer chain to continue.” Sara says of the social network that has allowed word of his injury and the need of prayers to circle the globe. A former Oskaloosa football player, that was one of Tyler’s teammates in high school, is in Germany and is attempting to catch back up with his teammate for a visit. “If anybody’s gonna knock Facebook, they’re gonna have to go through me.” Sara says of the amazing support and information the site has helped to deliver.

Tyler’s tour was scheduled to end July 3rd. Tyler has been serving with the 34th Infantry Division (Red Bull), 133rd Infantry Regiment. He was deployed last August to Afghanistan.

I also want to take the time to once again thank all of our men and women in uniform, past and present. Also, thank you to the family members that love and support them while they are deployed, as well as when they come home.

US Army MRAP

If you are interested in learning more about the MRAP vehicle and it replacing the HUMVEE in many situations, you can read more about it HERE.