Vicksburg native Albert “Bert” Winschel was undergoing surgery to reconstruct his right hand this morning at a military base in Germany and is expected to be transferred to Bethesda (Md.) Naval Hospital Tuesday, his father said this morning.

“The doctor told me, ‘Your son’s going to be in Bethesda for a long time,’” Winschel’s father, Terry Winschel, said this morning. “I think he means months because it’s not just for healing; it’s for rehabilitation, as well.”

Winschel, a sergeant with the 3rd Force Reconnaissance with Marine Special Forces, was wounded Tuesday during a combat mission in southern Afghanistan. Since, the 23-year-old  has undergone several surgeries, in Afghanistan and in Germany.

Terry Winschel said he and Bert’s mother, Therese Winschel, a respiratory therapist, will travel to Bethesda Naval Hospital to see their son as soon as possible after his arrival.