Capt. Haley talks about his time in Afghanistan

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Capt. Michael Haley says improvised explosive devices hit his convoy twice during his deployment to Afghanistan, but thankfully no one on his team was seriously injured.

Gov. Nikki Haley and her husband talked to The Associated Press on Wednesday, a week after he and his fellow South Carolina Army National Guard soldiers returned home. It was the first time Capt. Haley addressed his service in Afghanistan’s Helmand province.

Haley says he was never fearful, but there were tense moments, such as the IED explosions. In one instance, he was driving the vehicle directly behind it.

Haley’s unit worked with Afghan farmers on practices to turn them away from growing poppies used to make opium. He spent three months as an administrative liaison before working with the locals.