2nd Stryker Brigade 25th Infantry Division

Story by Cpl. Dustin Weidman

By Cpl. Dustin Weidman
2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

BAGHDAD – Cries of help, from soldiers of the 24th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division broke the silence of a training exercise at Camp Constitution, northwest of Baghdad, July 16.

The cries came from the "casualties" who were a part of a final exam for 31 Iraqi soldiers. Medics, from 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, "Gimlets," and the 225th Brigade Support Battalion, both from 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad conducted a three-day Combat Lifesavers Course in which they observed the 24th Bde. medics teach their own soldiers the basics of CLS.

"Our intent was to have the Iraqi medics train the Iraqi soldiers in order to start the establishment of a permanent, sustainable medical training product," said Maj. Jason Davis, native of Killen, Texas, and Gimlet battalion surgeon. "The CLS course is the exact type of training which will help the Iraqi soldiers save lives on the battlefield."

The three-day course, began with the basics; how to stop a wound with massive bleeding and to assess casualties. Each student conducted hands-on training on how to apply tourniquets and pressure dressing.

"The class went fantastic," said Capt. Jody Brown, a native of Kingston, N. H., and registered nurse assigned to 225th BSB. "The motivation and drive seen in these young Iraqi soldiers was impressive. Their ability to learn the fundamentals needed to save lives on the battlefield was clearly exuded. The Iraqi medics showed an abundance of knowledge and competence necessary to train these soldiers – the key to a highly successful training event."

The last day of the training was the final exam for these soldiers as well as the Iraqi medics who trained them. The final exam consisted of a simulated improvised explosive device strike on an Iraqi army truck with multiple casualties varying in severity.

Each group relied on their training and properly assessed and cared for each casualty with minimal help from the instructors.

"In the future we will give them more training, but these soldiers are ready and can be effective in saving lives on the battlefield," said Warrant Officer Hussam Ibrahem, a medical officer assigned to the 24th Bde.

Each student that graduated received a certificate, signed by Iraqi Brig. Gen. Nassir, commander of the 24th Bde., stating each student is CLS qualified as well each student received a combat lifesavers medical kit to have with them on patrols. When the class was finished, the Iraqi medics felt confident that the soldiers who attended would be able to save lives in any situation.

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