Exercise sharpens Dragons’ responsiveness

Photo By Sgt. Gregory Snyder | Medics assigned to Task Force 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, evaluate and treat the casualties during the mass casualty exercise here Sept. 1.  

CONTINGENCY OPERATING STATION ECHO, IRAQ

09.01.2011

Story by Sgt. Gregory Snyder 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

CONTINGENCY OPERATING STATION ECHO, Iraq - A mass casualty is defined as a large number of casualties produced in a relatively short period of time that exceed the available medical capabilities and resources.

The Task Force, 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, conducted a mass casualty exercise here, the morning of Sept. 1.

The 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, of the Ironhorse Brigade, participated in the event as well. Both Dragons and Stallions proved they could handle the most extreme situations that could arise while deployed to Iraq.

To begin the exercise, the loud speakers sounded across the camp that ‘incoming rounds’ were headed to the base.

Accountability, emergency response and medical readiness are keys to ensuring there will be no hesitation among the soldiers.

Without difficulty, the mass casualty exercise played out for a few hours, testing all aspects of the base’s response and readiness.
While the Base Defense Operations Center maintained accountability and tracked events, the Quick Response Force Teams jumped into action and medical personnel quickly and efficiently evaluated and treated numerous ‘casualties’.

Participation by all units during this exercise helped make it realistic, and ultimately will help to save soldiers lives if the exercise should become a reality.

Thanks to careful planning by senior leaders, each and every moving part around Echo knew their role and did not hesitate to execute their mission.

“I’m particularly happy that everybody knew where to be and when to be there. The medics did an outstanding job getting casualties treated quickly” stated Command Sgt. Maj. Jim Cabrera, Sr. “It goes without saying that no one wants to see something like a mass casualty happen.”

Attacks on bases occupied by U.S. Forces are still happening in Iraq, even during the final stages of Operation New Dawn.

However, should the situation arise, Task Force 1-82 FA will be ready because of the continued preparation and training.

• Date Taken: 09.01.2011
• Date Posted: 09.04.2011 15:25
• Story ID: 76438
• Location: CONTINGENCY OPERATING STATION ECHO, IQ