On December 4, 2016 (his 31st birthday), while deployed to Afghanistan, Caleb and his team were conducting a large-scale clearing operation focused on the Sangin District in Helmand Province. Caleb and his team located a Taliban improvised explosive device (IED) factory and began clearing the compound. As they did so, a pressure plate IED detonated beneath Caleb. Seeing his own right leg missing, Caleb immediately applied a tourniquet to himself. His teammates rushed to his aid and took him to safety. Caleb suffered bilateral leg amputations and severe infections, blood clots, and blood loss from the blast.