143d Expeditionary Sustainment Command

Story by Staff Sgt. Marcos Alices

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - U.S. Army combat medics for centuries have carried the responsibility of tending to the health of the American Soldier on the battlefield. The 45th Sustainment Brigade Aid Station will carry that obligation as they provide medical care for more than 2,000 Soldiers in Afghanistan.

The 45th SB Aid Station is the health provider for Joint Sustainment Command-Afghanistan personnel and service members traveling on convoy logistics patrols.

"It's great," said Capt. Donald T. Stevenson, a 45th SB physician assistant. "We can send medics out there, so that way everybody can do their mission. They know if something happens to them, like if they get hit with an IED (improvised explosive device) or anything else, the medics are there, they are fully qualified, they are fully trained and they will be in good hands."

The JSC-A is responsible for the movement of supplies and personnel into and throughout Afghanistan. In fulfilling that role, the JSC-A moves convoys filled with equipment and gear daily. The 45th SB Aid Station provides two combat medics for many of these convoys. These convoy logistics patrols could range from no more than a day to four days.

"My job is to help the injured and sick in combat, to make sure all the guys make it back home to their families," said Spc. Jeremy D. Franklin, a 45th SB combat medic.

During convoys, medics are responsible for the welfare of all personnel in the movement. They ensure that all vehicles are equipped with a Combat Lifesaver Bag and Warrior Aid and Litter Kit. The combat lifesaver bag contains numerous items to provide on-the-spot treatment of trauma and other conditions. The WALK is a vehicle life-saving kit supplied with a quad-fold litter and medical supplies. Each of these kits makes it possible to treat multiple patients and immediately evacuate a Soldier. The medic also carries his own supplies.

"Basically, we are the first line of medical assistance for the Soldier before we move them on to higher echelon of care," said Spc. Robert Truss, a 45th combat medic.

Not only do they provide medical assistance to Soldiers on the convoys, they ensure that all Soldiers are capable of providing immediate care. Medics of the Aid Station provide 40 hours of training in a combat lifesaver course. The instructors focus on three main areas; bleeding out, lung collapse and airway blockage. The course extends the life expectations of Soldiers on the battlefield by having CLS-certified Soldiers provide initial care until the arrival of a medic.

"The benefit that we have here is that we are located where the Soldiers are located," said Stevenson. "Yes, we run our aid station out of a tent, but the soldiers don't have to go very far to get their health care."

Arriving to Afghanistan in January, Soldiers that operate the Aid Station were prepared to provide medical care for no more than 200 Soldiers. Originally slated to only provide care for Soldiers of the 45th SB, the medics now open their aid station doors to Soldiers of the 143rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command and other units who do not have medical support. They see about 35 to 40 patients each day, according to Stevenson. Since they now serve more than 2,000 Soldiers, the medics have extended their hours of operation and expanded their facility to accommodate the larger patient population.

"A medic's skill set is so much larger than just doing vital signs," said Stevenson.

In the aid station, it is routine for medics to have a tentative diagnosis and treatment plan prepared for the physician, according to Stevenson.

"I enjoy doing my job," said Franklin. There is a lot to learn still and this is the best learning environment."

The 45th SB medics are constantly learning new techniques and skills as they rise to the challenge of saving lives on the battlefield. Their mission doesn't just include tending to the injured on the battlefield but providing healthcare to Soldiers as well.

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