Afghan-German medical exercise in Camp Shaheen

MAZAR-E-SHARIF, AFGHANISTAN

12.30.2012

Story by Lt.j.g. Amy Forsythe 

ISAF Regional Command North

MAZAR-E SHARIF, Afghanistan – More than 15 members of the German-led Medical Task Force) conducted a combined exercise with medics from Afghan National Army’s 209th Corps at Camp Shaheen, just outside the northern city of Mazar-e Sharif Dec. 30, 2012.

German medics assigned to Regional Command North’s MTF installed a mobile emergency hospital called “Role 2” as part of a demonstration to their ANA counterparts within the 209th Corps. The field hospital was used as a final staging point for the simulated wounded soldiers.

Approximately two dozen ANA medics practiced rescuing several injured people during the one-day event that was designed to improve their rescue capabilities, interoperability and learn new how to transfer patients for follow-on care. The exercise was conducted just days after a major snow storm and the ground was covered with about 10 inches of snow, with temperatures in the 30’s.

The new field hospital configuration allows the higher echelon medical teams to treat more severe battlefield casualties in an expeditionary setting. The medics were able to provide initial medical treatment and then managed to carry them to the field hospital located within a 200 meter radius.

The most challenging part of the training was the hand-over of the wounded from the Afghan medics to the Germans awaiting patients at the entrance of the field hospital.

“The cooperation between the ANA and ISAF medical teams worked very well,” said the German medical team leader.

All of the injuries were clearly identified and the initial assessment by the Afghan medics was conducted in a timely manner reducing the risk for loss of life. They were quick to use medical supplied to them by wrapping the wounds and preventing infections.

During the exercise, the teams experienced language barriers but were able to communicate enough to understand the sense of urgency and lifesaving procedures needed to make an effective rescue, said the German team leader.

This medical training exercise was the first of its kind at Camp Shaheen and demonstrates the significant progress made by the Afghans in the past 12 months. The 209th ANA Corps commander Maj. Gen. Wesa was on hand to observe the training and thanked everyone for their continued efforts in developing key lifesaving capabilities within the 209th Corps ranks.

The field hospital could be used in future operations to minimize the travel time for wounded troops on the battlefield. The ANA 209th Corps will eventually develop their own transportation and methods for treating injured soldiers and police.

• Date Taken: 12.30.2012
• Date Posted: 02.14.2013 03:26
• Story ID: 101972
• Location: MAZAR-E-SHARIF, AF