Having Each Other’s Back: Multinational Task Force conducts casualty care training in Iraq

Photo By Sgt. Carson Gramley | U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Corey Burdick, right, with Task Force Al Asad, yells to simulate a chaotic environment as U.S. Marines and Danish soldiers apply tourniquets during a joint combat lifesaver training class aboard Al Asad Airbase, Iraq, March 11, 2015. The coalition service members conducted the training to improve their ability to work together and medical readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Carson Gramley/ Released)  

IRAQ

03.11.2015

Story by Cpl. Carson Gramley 

Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade

AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq - U.S. Marines, Sailors and Danish soldiers from Task Force Al Asad participated in joint casualty care training aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, March 11, 2015.

The training was a way for the two coalition partners to increase their ability to work together in the event of an emergency by learning one another’s techniques for casualty care and exploring the differences in the equipment they carry.

Taught by Navy corpsmen and Danish medical personnel, the class, which included around 20 Marines and Danish soldiers, utilized both classroom-learning sessions and practical exercises.

“We started off with the PowerPoint presentation, then the students got a tour of the combined aid station and explored the Marine and Danish [Individual First Aid Kits],” said Gunnery Sgt. Loui, a Danish medic instructing the course. “Afterward, we started looking at different bandages and field dressings and they got to practice with them at skill stations.”

At these skill stations the students paired off in Dane-Marine teams and practiced treating some common combat wounds, with the idea that practice makes perfect and with enough repetition, these skills can become second nature.

“Repetition is important,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Corey Burdick, a Navy corpsman and instructor for the class. “The more you do something, the better and more comfortable you become.”

After their first round at the skill stations, the Marines and Danes put on their full personal protective gear and went through again to get a feel for how each other’s equipment works.

“It’s all quite similar,” said Loui. “The biggest differences are the equipment.”

Burdick concurred, saying that there are pluses and minuses to the way each military does business.

“The Marines have a little more in their IFAKs, but the Danes carry and are able to administer medication when treating a patient,” he said.

As they share a primary mission of preparing Iraqi Security Force units at Al Asad to fight the Islamic State terrorist group, these Marines and Danish soldiers work together often and took this opportunity, proposed by the Danes, to forge stronger relationships.

“The Danes asked to do this training since there’s kind of a break in training with the Iraqis and some of us needed to get caught up on medical training as well,” said Burdick. “I think it was definitely a good idea.”

Loui agreed.

“Overall I think it went pretty good,” said Loui. “The students showed great interest in everything we did here today.”

The students worked well together and were very receptive to the knowledge they were offered, Burdick said.

The Marines and Sailors will continue to train with their Danish coalition partners to build interoperability and increase their combined readiness.

“We’re out in the field together and we work together,” Loui said. “Let’s hope we don’t get injured together, but if that’s the case out there, we’re ready to handle the situation.”

• Date Taken: 03.11.2015
• Date Posted: 03.19.2015 11:01
• Story ID: 157482
• Location: IQ