Third Medical Battalion gets battlefield ready

Photo By Sgt. Erik Brooks | Corpsmen roll a victim onto a stretcher during a mass-casualty exercise on Camp Hansen Dec. 6. They were responding to a simulated attack with an improvised explosive device where they picked up the victims and brought them to the rear for proper care. The corpsmen are from 3rd Medical Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.  

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JAPAN

12.06.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Erik Brooks 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP HANSEN, Japan - "Corpsman!” The calls for corpsmen were coming from Marines on patrol. They had just been hit by an improvised explosive device. The corpsmen rushed over, stretchers in hand to bandage the wounded. With the victims stabilized, the corpsmen quickly brought them to the rear for treatment.

This was the scene as Navy corpsmen practiced battlefield medical skills during a mass-casualty exercise on Camp Hansen Dec. 6.

The corpsmen and Marines with 3rd Medical Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, were participating in mass-casualty drills and basic field medicine exercises to keep them prepared and ready for future deployments, said Navy Lt. Zachary M. Smith, the battalion’s assistant training and operations officer.

“We conducted a mass-casualty drill to simulate a real-life scenario,” said Smith. “[The scenario] was kept secret, so the corpsmen had to react just as they would in combat.”

The casualty scenario included 20 victims, played by Marines and sailors, who each had a symptom card, Smith said. On the card was a list of injuries they sustained, which they reported to the corpsmen when they arrived. Some victims had wounds caused by an improvised explosive device, while others sustained gunfire wounds, he added.

Corpsmen are part of many foot patrols and convoys when deployed. In combat, they tend to see trauma and gun- and IED-inflicted wounds, according to Smith. During this training exercise, the corpsmen spent most of their time training on the things they may see when deployed, he added.

“After a quick triage of the victim and classifying the injury, the corpsmen brought the victim to the shock trauma platoon tent,” said Smith.

At the STP tent, casualties received hands-on first aid and a more exact diagnosis, according to Petty Officer 2nd Class Kingsley K. Agbitor, a surgical technician with the battalion.

“The STP is the first line of care for the victims,” said Agbitor. “We stabilize the patient [there] for further treatment.”

In the STP tent, the corpsmen treated wounds, checked vitals and administered fluids intravenously.

After treatment at the STP, victims are rushed to the forward resuscitative surgical system tent, said Agbitor. In this tent, the victims are able to receive most surgical operations needed and more in-depth wound treatment.

“There are two beds with two doctors who are ready at all times for surgery,” said Smith.

Following treatment here, victims are then transported back to a hospital, Smith said.

“The field hospital is a very capable entity,” said Smith.

In the field, the capabilities include a STP for first aid, an FRSS for surgery, field lab for blood tests, X-ray machines and a mobile pharmacy.

“We have everything a free-standing hospital has,” said Smith. “We can set up in one hour using only a Humvee and a trailer.”

Smith said that 3rd Med. Bn. is the level-two medical provider for all of III MEF. This classification requires the battalion to meet any trauma or surgery needs of III MEF.

“These exercises help us meet that mission,” Smith said. “With this training, our corpsmen are fully prepared to go downrange and bring Marines back alive.”

• Date Taken: 12.06.2011
• Date Posted: 12.15.2011 01:11
• Story ID: 81406
• Location: CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JP