Paula Loyd, a social scientist working with a Human Terrain Team in Afghanistan was seriously injured in an Taliban attack on Tuesday. Danger Room reports:
Paula Lloyd was interviewing locals in the southern village of Maywand on Tuesday as part of her duties in a Human Terrain Team, which embeds civilian cultural experts into U.S. combat units. She approached a man carrying a fuel jug and they began talking about the price of gas. Suddenly, the man doused Lloyd in a flammable liquid and set her on fire. She suffered second- and third-degree burns over 60 percent of her body, a Human Terrain source told Danger Room.
The injuries could have been worse. Lloyd’s teammate immediately threw her into a nearby water source to douse the flames, then Lloyd was sped to a nearby medical facility. Fortunately, the first doctor to treat her was a U.S. Army burn specialist. After being stabilized, Lloyd was evacuated to the military’s Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany and is now en route to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. Lloyd is in “stable, but guarded condition,” the source said.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Paula and her family.
Editor’s Correction: The initial version of this article mispell’s “Loyd” as “Lloyd”.
Christopher R. Albon is a Ph.D. candidate specializing in armed conflict, public health, human security, and health diplomacy.
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{ 51 comments }
On behalf of the entire 450th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne), our thoughts and prayers are with Paula and her family, and we hold her close to our hearts as she battles during her recovery from this horrible incident.
A heart rending story. I hope she is doing better. But the danger for civilians who embed themselves with military units is all too clear. Whatever the distinction may be to us, the Afghans are more confused than ever. Believe it or not, such incidents did not take place during the TAliban period when i worked in the South, before the lines between military and civilian work were blurred.
Lucy, why do you suppose it wa Paula that was burned and not her companions. Do you think it had more to do with being an independant working woman than it did with her being imbedded with the military? My thoughts and prayers are with this couragous woman, her family here at “home” and her “family” abroad.
My prayers go out to Ms. Lloyd, and for peace.
I think it is obvious that the folks who are using this unfortunate event as an opportunity to trash the Human Terrain System, as well as “civilians working with the military” are uninformed at best, and guilty of a vicious kind of agit-prop, at worst.
To be sure, HTS has had its birthing pangs, and still have many issues to work out, but any successful counterinsurgency campaign needs civilian control and active participation to succeed.
The US, as a country, needs to wean itself from using DoD as it’s primary foreign relations arm, and to insinuate more civilians and civilian agencies, and especially civilian academics into our efforts to counter those who use violence as their primary means to solve problems.
And when I mention the use of violence, I mean that reflexively, as one of the most important roles of the Human Terrain System, is to encourage US and Coalition Forces to use non-violent means to create a stable, relatively free system that is appropriate to the cultures where they are currently waging “war”.
dear, dear paula,
…we are praying for your full recovery…i treasure your friendship going back to “good old Alamo Heights” days.
we love you!!!
Regardless of Paula’s status as civilian or military, she’s a HERO, and I hope she will get the same coverage in the health care system as wounded veterans. From my time in Afghanistan (12-months with ISAF), I believe she was attacked because she was an unarmed woman, and was the easiest to approach. But I’m sure it was planned in advance. My heart goes out to her as she struggles through surgery and recovery, and I’m so grateful that we have people so willing to help restore peace in devastated countries like Afghanistan. Civilians and Cival Affairs specialists are able to help in ways most military can’t. I’ve got to thank her for her service.
Drew: Could not have said it better myself.
When I heard about this my heart broke. Paula was a really close friend of my family back when I was in high school, before 9/11. I actually ran into a tapestry she had given me the other day and was wondering how she was doing. To find this out… I’m still crying. My thoughts are with her and her family.
I am shocked and saddened to hear this horrific news. I attended Wellesley College with Paula. She is a wonderful friend and an amazing person. This is unbelievably tragic. Paula we all love you and wish you a speedy and healthy recovery.
Sincerely,
Alexis
Paula is an amazing woman. She has a beautiful heart and an incredible soul. She has accomplished and given so much in her life. This is a very educated woman who put her life on the line for issues that she truly believes in. She has a masters degree in International Relations from Georgetown University and is committed and passionate about helping people in need especially women. She also served this country in the US Army for many years. Is this what the world does to accomplished, independent, passionate and courageous women?! Paula is a true hero.
This is terribly sad news. Paula and I dated in high school and I was continually amazed by her fierce independence and the strength of her convictions. She was, I’m sure, one of only a few of our classmates who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and her work there shows that she has never given up trying to be someone who makes change in the world, rather than just talk about it. My favorite photo of Paula has her posing next to a stone lion, growling fiercely. Paula is a lion with a strong heart and I know she will recover well, but I’ll be thinking of her and wishing her the best during this difficult time.
Truly a amazing person, went to places others would think twice about first.
Keep safe, take care my friend.
Bob’s friend
Paula was attached to my company during the attack in Maywand. Our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family.
Paula, your whole Wellesley family is thinking of you and praying for a speedy recovery. You are a hero, and without our civilians, the Army could not do its job.
Michele
Wellesley ‘96
CPT VC USA
I too attended Wellesley alongside Paula. She was a smart, friendly, conviction-driven and genuine woman then, and clearly continues to be to this day. I have many a fond memory of time spent with Paula – much laughter and great conversations…Paula, if you or any family are reading this, know that you are in all of our thoughts and prayers…Paula – your spunk and strength *will* get you through this. I can’t wait for the day that we reconnect….your speedy recovery and return to wellness are at the top of my mind. You are my hero – as are all military and civilians serving our country overseas. Namaste, my friend.
Paula is most definitely a great personality with a beautiful heart. Paula and I have been friends for years now. She is the kind of person who believes in humanity who cares for others and who has dedicated her life towards helping poor and needy. Paula, from the moment that I heard about this unfortunate and terrible incident, I can not stop thinking about you, you are in my prayers five times a day. I am sure *YOU WILL RECOVER* and will get back to normal life soon. I can not wait to see you back with the cheerful face and happy mode.
WISH YOU HEALTH AND HAPINESS!!!
Farid
Virginia, U.S.A
My heart goes out to those who know her and her family. I’m sure the grief is great and my concern for her as a person is genuine.
I wonder, however, what actually happened. I’ve read several conflicting reports today on this ranging from the obvious Taliban lie to equally ludicrous Western journalist reports that make it sound like the man with the can of “flmmable liquid” (gasoline?) only TRIED to burn her and missed. Even the above article misses entirely that the man who burnt her was (apparently) killed when the civilian guard was told (wrongly) that Paula was dead.
My criticism falls squarely on the shoulders of reporters who appear to be in such a hurry to break a story first that they leave out very important details and lead to horrendous speculation, lies and fear. This incident happened DAYS ago. Are we so “sound bite” oriented that no one is willing to research and give the full story? Is there no official who was willing or able to give any quotes on the incident? I realize we need to keep our troups safe and hold back SOME info, but a good 50% of what I’ve seen on these reports is pure conjecture.
I wish the reporters would dig a little before writing. It would either give substance to our fears or allay them. I’d rather either alternative to this.
I served with SSG LLoyd in Afghanistan back in 2002. She was a fantastic women and excellent NCO. I hope and pray for her recovery.
William
Paula all the best for a speedy recovery. I’m a friend of your mums and Terry’s and stayed with them in St.Thomas.
Mart
Very proud to know Paula Lloyd and to see the work of the “Hero of Qalat” first hand in 2005. She was a big help to the ISAF command during NATO mission expansion in 2006. Selflessness and courage for days.
Luke Knittig
Paula, I wish you a speedy recovery.
Her last name is Loyd, not Lloyd.
Thanks Anonymous, correction made.
Paula Loyd passed away this morning, 1/06/09 at Brooks Army Hospital. Her service to her country should not go without notice. Please also pray for Don Ayala who faces charges for killing her Taliban attacker.
RIP Paula
The world has lost an example of someone who “walks the walk” No matter if she should have been there, the importance of her work and the convictions she held to are worth praising. Paula has gone to her reward in heaven. Please continue to pray for Don-the importance of his work and the convictions he holds are also worth praising.
Paula Loyd died around 2pm (central time) on January 7th at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Are you sure about Paula’s death. I am not comfortable with an anonymous report of her death. There is nothing in the news about it. How do you know for sure?
Yes, I’m am sure. I was at the hospital yesterday. I reported this anonymously because the family is telling people in there own way, however, I felt that a correction to an earlier post that stated it was the day before was needed.
I hope the human garbage that injured her was blown to molecules by our soldiers.
Paula Loyd walked where angels feared to tread…and now walks amongst the angels…rest in peace, sister…
Paula died doing what she loved and lived to do! I was blessed to serve with this female soldier in the combat theater of Afghanistan and here in the U.S. She was one of the finest individual persons I have ever known. During the time I served with the 450th Civil Affairs Battalion, Paula was one of a number of female soldiers, who on a continuous basis perform their military duties in the utmost honorable fashion. They do so day in and day out while serving in combat zones which are in some of the most ouster and remote environments on this planet.
As a male soldier deployed with female soldiers to a combat zone for some of the first recorded times, I had pre-molded perceptions developed by listening to and reading media about how women are unfit and should not be permitted to serve in a combat zone. The actions and dedicated selfless service of the female soldiers of this unit, the 450th Civil Affairs Battalion, and fellow Army Reserve soldiers such as Paula Loyd proved my pre-molded perceptions about women serving in a combat zone as completely wrong! I have learned so much from many the female soldiers of the 450th and I feel most honored to have served along side them.
As for you Paula, thank you for being my friend and helping me when I needed a friend to talk to! Most of all thank you for being a professional!
For those of you who did not know her or for those who in fact may have known her, I feel safe in saying that we can all look back at Paula and the way she lived her life and just say, “Wow”. If you really think about it, I can not think of another individual that would even come close, if I had to think of somebody to be a modern day “Joan of Arc”. Paula we love you always….peace!
I had the privelege of being Paula’s Civil Affairs Team Leader in Kandahar in 02-03. I could not have had a better Team SGT- she truly had a passion for the people of Afghanistan and it was all we could do to keep up with her. She had a boundless energy and wanted to do so much to help the people.
After she left the military we talked several times- she was always looking for additional opportunities to help those who were in need in A’stan. She died doing the work of bringing peace to a people she loved and respected- her work will touch generations of Afghans. I can only hope that her family can take solace and comfort in knowing that Paula was that special kind of person who lived to serve others. I am a better person for having lived and served with her and the team she so ably led and allowed me to command. I will miss her.
Ray Short
Major, Civil Affairs
“Viking 6″ – Kandahar 02-03
I will pray for Paula’s family, and pray for Don Ayala who did what anyone of us would have done. Please write to your congressman to make sure this HERO does not get punished for his actions
In His Name
Kathryn
don just did what many of us want to do, but wouldn’t have the guts to. good job don…the scum got what he deserved.
Godspeed to a brave woman.
The mindset of the Taliban.. if not much of the Afgan people is still in the 16th century… God forbid an educated female! The reality is that the Afgan people can not be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century. They and they alone must be the ones to throw off the shackles of extreme fundamentalist Islamic doctrine.
Many brave people and many great armies have been swallowed up in Afganistan, this instance will not end any better.
I pray that this world has many more people like her… we surely need them.
May Allah rest my dearest friend, our beloved Paula’s soul in peace. She was an excellent person and loved Afghanistan and Afghan people so much. She did not deserve this end. We worked together in Afghanistan with different capacities. I was at the Turkish Embassy, she was with the UN. She was incredibly cooperative and helpful during Turkey’s preparations to establish a PRT in Wardak. I’ll always remember her beautiful smile, good nature and optimism.
She is a great loss for all of us.
We will keep her and her family in our thoughts and prayers.
Ferhat Alkan
I never met Loyd, but am moved by her commitment to service, and deeply saddenned by her death.
I am puzzled, however, that the attacker was shot so quickly. I can understand the outrage of her companion who saw it happen (or rather, understand incompletely– the visceral rage he must have felt at the sight cannot be immagined). It is understandable that in a “mad max” type of society, her companions may have felt it imperative to retaliate immediately against the attacker to discourage further such attacks.
However, it is unclear that his immediate murder aided justice–for one thing her attacker died quickly and with relatively little pain or disfigurement, and for another, he died without providing any information at all on how he was lead to commit the act, and whether there were other guilty parties acting behind the scenes who should now, also, be held accountable for Paula’s wounding and murder.
Thus, we have lost the opportunity to learn from questioning her attacker what his motivation may have been. Was it a personal hatred of all Americans, randomly directed at Paula, that prompted his attack? Or was he paid (or delegated) to attack Paula in particular, and if so, why, and by whom? While he, himself, will never murder again, the problem is that if he was merely a pion in some larger organized scheme in Afghanistan to target Americans, that scheme (which I can only hypothesize in the vaguest way, having no knowledge at all of the Afghan social structure and the players in that theater) likely continues undamaged.
Due to her attacker’s almost immediate murder, the people who care about Paula are unlikely to learn the answers. For this reason, though I sympathize with the outrage, on Paula’s behalf, of those who are glad that her attacker was killed so quickly, I am sorry he was not kept alive to stand trial and testify, for the record, exactly on whose behalf he was committing such a heinous and despicable act.
RIP Paula
We will remember you.
I was so sad and shocked to hear of Paula Lloyds death. I considered her a friend and admired her commitment and drive. I had the privlege of getting to know her while serving in the 45oth Civil Affairs BN. My heart goes out to her family.
So sad and so unfair, to lose a trusted friend who followed her heart and did what she enjoyed most.
I will sadly miss your presence on this side of the fence, but comfort in that fact that I was given a chance to meet someone like you.
Take care, be safe my friend
Bob’s Friend
I am still completely devastated by the news of her death. It is really unbelievable to me. I have been struggling with it over this past week. I’m basically totally shocked. Paula will always be in my mind and heart. She was a very special person.
I wrote the following tribute to her on her memorial page. I think it conveys what I feel best:
Paula’s life was beautiful. It was true and it was unbelievably courageous.
I have always admired Paula for challenging definition and convention and living her life with a freedom most of us will never know.
Thank you for your service to our country and for your service to the Afghan people. And thank you Paula for letting me share some time with you.
Your Friend Always
I was with Paula in Afghanistan in 2002 while I was in CAT 10 and she was in CAT 2. She had the most calming personality, which was surprising being in a combat zone. It was in her nature to better humanity. She didn’t deserve what happened to her. If a woman is assaulted in the muslim faith, then it is the families responsibility to restore her honor through retribution. Ayala witnessed the event first hand. Immediate justice was served. The only flaw in Ayala’s response is that he shot Salam. My opinion is that Ayala should have done to Salam that which Salam had done to Paula. Salam got off to easy. Now we will waste time and money on this, because that is what our society does best. RIP Orlando, Jake, Manny(ODA 744), and now, Paula. I will see you on the other side.
I am so saddened by the news of the death of Paula. I was a UN CMCoord Colleague and worked with Paula (from a distance) in Kandahar (she was in kabul but a GREAT resource to tap into). As a Canadian CIMICer I have great respect for our bretheren in the US Civil Affairs community. Paula represented you all very well. The world is a poorer place with this loss.
Her small size obviously hid some serious strengths. I pray that her family finds peace in knowing that she died in a noble cause and trying to help people have a better life.
her injuries could “have been worse?” i cannot imagine being burned over 60% of your body to be even something you can say it could have been worse. well that sounds pretty awful to me. may she rest in peace.
Dear Patti & Terry,
We were so sorry to hear the sad news of Paula’s passing. We were not fortunate enough to have met her but by all accounts she was a very special person, loved and admired by so many. She achieved so much in such a short time, more than most people ever achieve.
Our love and thoughts are with you,
Jim & Lynne
Paula, you are with the angels now, gone from this Earth far too soon. You have been on my mind a great deal, as is the case for so many of us who are fortunate to have known you.
Your kind, loving spirit touched countless fellow humans, and your loss if felt deeply. Rest in peace, and know that we are all thinking of you and your family.
As an Arab American, I am ashamed and embarrassed about the behavior of some of the illiterate Muslim people. Our religion is no difference than Christianity; it promotes love, kindness and tolerance to other religions, the Muslim extremist along with some of the Christian extremists twist the religion to promote hatred and annihilation of other believes. I am deeply sorry and apologize on behalf of the entire Arab Muslim community to the parents and colleagues of Paula and our hearts with them. I am in tears for what happened to her especially when her intentions were to promote our values and respect for others which does not exist in their country. I beg every Christian not to judge us by the act of Muslims that do not understand the meaning of Islam (translation of Islam is “Peace”). God bless you all and Paula who I am sure has a place in heaven.
I am a reporter from the Boston Globe who is writing a piece about Paula’s life and her work in Afghanistan. By the comments here, I can see that Paula was dearly loved and a truly unique, couragous person. If any of you are willing to share your memories of Paula with me – especially from Afghanistan – I would really appreciate it if you would email me at fstockman at globe.com.
Many thanks.
It is an honor to have worked with Paula in Afghanistan. She had boundless energy, courage and enthusiasm- and compassion most of all. God Bless You Paula.
Paul Mason
FPO
Kandahar 2003
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