Gwinnett Daily Post

Justin Lansford

A Thursday morning surgery on injured soldier Justin Lansford went well and the Brookwood grad is still on track for a Friday return to the U.S.

Lansford's family said the 22-year-old's third abdominal surgery revealed no additional damage, so surgeons were able to close up the injury in preparation for transport to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Current plans are to keep him on the ventilator until he reaches the Bethesda, Md., military hospital.

Lansford is still recovering from lung and chest injuries and a lacerated liver, but most of the damage is to his legs. His left leg was amputated below the knee, both of his femurs were broken and his lower right leg had multiple fractures.

"Justin is making a miraculous recovery and I know he is strong enough to get through an arduous rehab process," said Mike Basak, Lansford's uncle.

Lansford was injured when he was driving a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle (commonly known as an MRAP) on a recovery mission to assist a unit with a broken-down vehicle. On the way to that stop, his vehicle struck a roadside bomb and sent it flying.

Because of the severity of the ensuing fight, it took hours for Lansford to be removed from the situation. He was initially treated at a field hospital, then moved to an air base hospital. He was transported to Germany's Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, where he will remain until his scheduled Friday flight back to the U.S.

Lansford graduated from Brookwood in 2007 after playing four years of football for the Broncos.

Return to www.gwinnettdailypost.com for updates on Lansford.