A Fort Lauderdale paramedic has returned home after a tour of duty in Afghanistan.
Stefanie Silk returned earlier this week after she was deployed to Bagram Air base in Afghanistan to serve as a technical sergeant, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue officials said Tuesday.
Silk, 29, provided munitions for military aircraft but endured several dangerous experiences during her five months at the air base, including multiple rocket attacks, some landing as a close as 200 feet from her.
She also was able to use her paramedic skills while volunteering at a hospital that cared for Americans, local nationals and "enemies of peace," officials said. Silk treated patients for gunshot wounds, IED blast injuries, amputations and other medical conditions.
Silk also took the initiative to put together advanced first aid kits, officials said.
It wasn't the first deployment for Silk, who has also completed tours in Iraq and South Korea.
"We here at Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue are very pleased to have Technical Sergeant Silk switch her role back to Firefighter /Paramedic Silk, and are extremely proud of her service and the service of all those in the military," The department said in a statement.
