10 Michigan Guard Members Wounded In Afghanistan

DOWAGIAC (WWJ/AP) - The Michigan National Guard says a roadside bombing in Afghanistan has wounded 10 of its soldiers, including one who lost part of both arms.

The guard says the soldiers injured in Sunday's attack were from the 1-126th Cavalry. The unit based in the southwestern Michigan community of Dowagiac has been serving in Afghanistan since January.

Wendy Kosch told The Detroit News that her nephew, 29-year-old Eric Lund, is the soldier who lost parts of both arms. She says he's "strong" and is expected to "pull through this."

The Ludington Daily News reports Lund was a 2001 graduate of Ludington High School in West Michigan.

The soldiers were reportedly on patrol when they encountered two improvised explosive devices, or IEDs.

Lund's aunt, Melissa Boggs, told WOOD-TV that he was in the lead vehicle of the convoy in the gun turret. The explosion of one of the IEDs flipped the truck. A second  IED exploded when a second truck came through, Boggs said.

Capt. Aaron Jenkins, a public affairs officer, said it was the most serious attack on a Michigan National Guard unit since 2006, when eight members were killed.

Ten guardsmen total were injured, but none were killed. Five of those injuries were serious, Boggs said. Lund's injuries were the most serious and are considered critical.

Lund and another member were hospitalized in Germany, Jenkins said, and six have since returned to duty. Boggs said Lund remains "heavily sedated," but he is in stable condition. It is unclear when he is expected to return to the United States.

The unit, which has some 400 members, was among four Army Guard units in Afghanistan.

On the unit's Facebook page, a post called the attack "the unfortunate side of war."

"Valor, heroism and selfless acts of courage to help save each others lives sheilded [sic] our soldiers from death, although some of the injuries were life threatening. Continued prayer for those soldiers and their families and please pray not only for our safety, but that the evil men who did this will have justice brought to them."

TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.