Oregon guardsmen evacuated

PORTLAND — Military surgeons in Germany have amputated the left foot and part of the right leg of an Oregon National Guard sergeant injured in Iraq by a roadside bomb.

Sgt. Johan Bagge, 23, of Springfield was among 10 Oregon National Guard troops injured by a roadside bomb Friday in Iraq. Surgeons were able to save his wounded arm.

Eight of the 10 were treated for lesser injuries and returned to duty.

However, 2nd Lt. Timothy Bomke, 29, of Portland, suffered severe shrapnel wounds in the legs.

Both Bagge and Bomke were flown to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany.

Bomke expected to be flown to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., yesterday, his family said. Bagge was scheduled to go to a military hospital in Texas this week.

Both men were recently married.

The 10 were wounded by a roadside-bomb explosion in Iraq that lifted their Humvees off the ground, Oregon military officials said.

Oregon National Guard spokesman Capt. Mike Braibish said the incident happened early Friday when members of Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry were on a road-clearing mission near Kirkuk.

The first bomb disabled the first of three vehicles. When the others came to provide security, another bomb went off, Braibish said.

"What's unique about this particular incident is that there were 10 soldiers wounded," said Braibish. "There were two separate blasts. It's not an uncommon tactic for the insurgents to use — but it's one we haven't seen so commonly with our Oregon soldiers."

The blasts were violent enough to throw the armored Humvees into the air, Braibish said.

The eight who have been returned to duty suffered injuries that could be treated at military medical facilities in Iraq, said Braibish. Their injuries "might have required a stitch or a bandage, but their wounds did not require a higher level of medical attention," he said.

Alpha Company is based in Ontario, and the battalion is based in La Grande, both in eastern Oregon.

Ashley Bomke, 23, said she felt reassured after speaking to her husband. "I think he's going to be OK," she said.

Lorraine Bagge of Salem said her cousin was in "good spirits."