2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

Story by Staff Sgt. Jason Douglas

FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARRIOR, KIRKUK, Iraq – In an emergency situation the difference between life and death could mean minutes, so the initial medical care an injured person receives prior to arriving at a medical facility could save their lives.

Medical personnel from 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, and a Military Transition Team traveled to the 49th Iraqi Army Brigade's headquarters in the Kirkuk province of Iraq to train IA medical personnel in a five-day combat lifesaver course in late August.

"Prior to this training, only one of the 49th IA Brigade medics had received medical training," said Maj. Clarence Carroll, a Military Transition Team chief.

Following the initial assessment, a five-day training plan was developed with the purpose of providing advanced first aid skills and combat lifesaver skills to IA medics.

"11 IA medics attended the course, and all 11 completed the course," said Carroll. "They [IA medics] were enthusiastic about the class and understood the importance of this training."

According to Carroll, the benefits of this training would not only allow for additional trained medics with the 49th IA, but would also have their own trained personnel to pass on the knowledge to others in their unit.

"Not only will it increase the number of trained medical personnel in their unit, but will also have trained trainers, who can provide sustainment training to others," explained Carroll.

Throughout the course, the IA medics were instructed on everything from evaluating a casualty for injury, properly treating chest wounds and administering intravenous fluids.

Following the completion of the course the trainees received certificates of completion and two IA medics were recognized for their performance during the course.

"Pvt. Ismail Mohamad and Pfc. Naim Alaa Sabah finished as honor graduates for displaying superior technical proficiency and leadership through the course," said Carroll.

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