Just what the doctor ordered: a mission for Fort Lewis' 56TH Multi-Functional Medical Battalion

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI

03.23.2010

Story by Lt. Col. Michael Perez 

377th Theater Sustainment Command

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PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - U.S. Army Forces Command ordered the 56th Multi-Functional Medical Battalion, out of Fort Lewis, Wash., to deploy in support of Operation Unified Response. It would serve as the command and control element for Joint Task Force-Haiti's medical task force and be aligned under the Joint Logistics Command-Haiti (manned by the 377th Theater Sustainment Command from Belle Chasse, La.).

Beyond command and control, some other areas of responsibilities would include computer infrastructure, communication procedures, and information management.

Assigned to them, to carry out their mission taskings, were six Army units, a U.S. Navy unit and a U.S. Air Force unit.

"Adding joint capabilities shows we do not have to operate army centric [or Navy or Air Force centric] to get the job done. The Army has capabilities that match those of our sister services [speaking from the stand point of medical units], but they may not exist in this area of operations," said 56 MMB Commander, Lt. Col. Anthony Nesbitt, of New York City, N.Y.

The 56th MMB accepted the call and hit the ground running. Its capabilities included: acquisition and storage of blood through the 153rd Medical Detachment (Blood Support) from Ft. Lewis, Wash., basic health care, patient hold, and ground ambulance service through the 602nd Area Support Medical Company from Ft. Bragg, N.C., food inspections and care for military working dogs and cadaver dogs through the 43rd Medical Detachment (Veterinary Service) from Ft. Hood, Texas, ordering, monitoring and storage of medical supplies through the 6th Medical Logistics Management Center from Ft. Detrick, Md., and the 583rd Medical Logistics Company from Ft. Hood, Texas, emergency and trauma care through the Joint Task Force-Bravo Mobile Surgical Team from Soto Cano, Honduras, preventative health measures, such as air, soil and water testing and vector (mosquito) control through a Forward Deployed Preventative Medicine Unit from Norfolk, Va., and an ad hoc Preventative Medicine team.

Its capabilities were enhanced further through collaborative efforts with other JTF-Haiti medical units. It combined the 602nd ASMC with a USAF Small Portable Expeditionary Aeromedical Rapid Response Team to form a basic hospital near the airport where it could be easily serviced by the USAF MEDEVAC unit. The 12000+ U.S. service members and US Government employees could get the right care quickly.

The 56th MMB also accomplished missions directly supporting the people of Haiti. It coordinated with NGO's to support evacuation of certain medical cases to the University Hospital, Miami, Fla. The JTF-Bravo MST treated 1800+ Haitians (mostly orthopedic cases) at their location near Killick, Haiti. In coordination with the government of Haiti, the 6th MLMC and the 583rd MLC refurbished and updated Promess Warehouse, the National medical supply warehouse for all of Haiti. Also in coordination with the government of Haiti's minister of Agriculture the 43rd Med. Det. helped revive the National Vaccination Program for rabies by vaccinating over 9000 animals in several locations throughout Haiti. The 56 MMB is presently seeking ways to support area hospitals and clinics run by NGOs to provide for the long-term healthcare needs of the people of Haiti.

When asked about the structure of this MMB in Haiti, Nesbitt said, "This is precisely what an MMB is designed for. To be able to tailor medical capabilities to fit mission parameters and maximize the healthcare provided in its area of responsibility. And in this case it worked!"

Active leadership applied to diligent and competent units with dedicated service members rallying to a heartfelt cause was the prescription needed to bring Haiti through its early healthcare woes. The 56th MMB and its subordinate units wrote that prescription well.

"This speaks to our service members, the supporters we have at home stations and most importantly the families we have backing us up" said 56 th MMB Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Pumphrey, of Dayton, Ohio.