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    Medics always ready to back-up Troopers

    Medics always ready to back up troopers

    Photo By Capt. Paul Nadolski | Maj. Chen-Li Sung, senior medical provider assigned to Iron Troop, 3rd Squadron, 2nd...... read more read more

    TAPA, ESTONIA – “I had this deep seated desire to bring American heroes back home to their families,” said Pfc. Joseph D. Nguyen, combat medic, assigned to Iron Troop, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment in Tapa, Estonia. “When Soldiers are injured, there is no greater feeling than knowing that the Soldiers are able to see their loved ones and friends because I did the best I could.”

    Combat medics assigned to Iron Troop continuously hone their skills in an effort to ensure that Troopers are always ready and medically deployable. The American and Estonian medics work together at the medical clinic to provide all Allied Service Members the best care possible. To do this, medics focus on cross training to guarantee that their performance is always at its maximum potential.

    “The first week that we came here, the Estonians conducted an eight hour class for us,” said Spc. Mike Chambers, combat medic, assigned to Iron Troop. ”The class was to get us acclimated to their cold environment, injuries that may occur, and how to best treat them here. That was really good training for us. After that, we went to the field for a week to practice what we learned.”

    Estonia, one of the coldest countries in the world, has temperatures well below freezing and strong wind gusts that can result in cold weather injuries within minutes. Fortunately, Iron Troop has the support of their medics.

    “We had some troops that walked through a frozen lake,” said Maj. Chen-Li Sung, senior medical provider for Iron Troop. ”The ice surface cracked and then they were knee deep in frozen water.”

    Surrounded by snow, Dragoons spent 12 days in the field, conquering the harsh forest elements with the support of the medics.

    “In the middle of the night, my medics went through and checked everyone’s feet. They not only had to know what to look for and how to treat injuries, but they also had to teach their fellow Soldiers how to be able to look for cold weather injuries. I was very proud of them for doing that right,” said Maj. Sung.

    The medics’ primary mission is to support the Dragoons of Iron Troop, physically and mentally, as they promote Allied interoperability by training with the Estonian Service Members.

    “I want to inspire confidence in the Soldiers, that they are being looked after,” said Maj. Sung.

    The success of the mission is best measured by how many Troopers are treated and returned to duty.

    “We succeed in our mission by constantly ensuring good communication with the leadership, platoon sergeants and down to the lowest level guys to see if they have injuries,” said Spc. Chambers.

    Troopers of 2 CR know that their medics always stand ready. Throughout their deployment, Dragoons from 2 CR will rotate through Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia to train with their host nation’s forces while strengthening the United States’ alliance with its multinational partners in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 02.28.2015
    Date Posted: 03.02.2015 05:47
    Story ID: 155678
    Location: TAPA, EE

    Web Views: 785
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN