Sarmis 15 mass casualty exercise builds cohesion, allows learning opportunities

Photo By Spc. Jacqueline Dowland | Soldiers with 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, discuss medical procedures with their Romanian medical counterparts during a mass casualty exercise during Sarmis 15, as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, Cincu Training Area, May 29. The mass casualty exercise allowed NATO allies from Romania, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada to learn new information about how their counterparts perform medical procedures, as well as learning about their varying and similar medical equipment. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jacqueline Dowland, 13th Public Affairs Detachment)  

CINCU, ROMANIA

05.29.2015

Story by Spc. Jacqueline Dowland 

4th Public Affairs Detachment

CINCU TRAINING AREA, Romania- A sudden flurry of activity breaks the otherwise calm setting of the medical tent erected in the field. The group of medics spring into action, each contributing to the treatment of the patient before them, providing competent and efficient care despite the patient being from a country thousands of miles from the medics' home.

The medics with 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, joined their Romanian, Canadian, and British military counterparts to participate in a mass casualty training exercise, Cincu Training Area, May 29. The exercise, during Sarmis 15, was joint training designed to improve interoperability amongst the four NATO allies as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve.

"The medics participated in a show-and-tell on each country's equipment, to include the smallest items, such as Kerlix gauze, to the largest vehicles each country brings to the fight," said Staff Sgt. Cruz F. Lopez, Platoon Sgt. for 2nd Squadron Medical Platoon, and a native of Reno, Nevada. "The allies felt more comfortable working side-by-side with us when they saw that we were using a lot of the same equipment that they're used to using."

The exercise allowed the medics from the four countries the opportunity to put into use medical procedures and equipment they hadn't used before, yet are now competent at using after extensive sharing of knowledge, and planning for the exercise for all forces involved. As Romanian medics worked on American soldiers and vice-versa, the counterparts learned that despite language barriers, they all speak one language.

"This joining solidifies that the medical field is universal," said Lopez. " It's great to get out into the world and meet others from different nations who have the same career and passions as you do, and learn new things, and teach them new ideas."

The joint training and interoperability gained from the training exercise may one day prove valuable for the allies, should they meet again outside of Romania.

"It takes the pressure off to know that we can go into Romania or Canada for example, and can work side-by-side with our partners on the spot," said Lopez.

The exercise also provided the allies with learning opportunities into ways they may some day be able to improve their own equipment or practices.

"When I was teaching the Romanians how to work with litters, they showed me how their own litters are made differently, using snap buckles to secure a patient rather than the straps we use," said Pfc. Chukwuebuka N. Emenike, a combat medic with 2/2 CR, and a native of Anambra, Nigeria. "That gives us the idea that perhaps we could change to snap buckles on our litters, making it easier and more efficient to transport a patient."

As the exercise came to a culmination, each of the four counterparts were able to walk away from the joint training with a newfound sense of gain in knowledge and a sense of camaraderie.

"I've learned a lot from the other nations and I I enjoy learning the diversity of how their procedures work," said Emenike. "I've been able to add new skills and information to my own work habits so I can make them better."

• Date Taken: 05.29.2015
• Date Posted: 05.31.2015 11:11
• Story ID: 165006
• Location: CINCU, RO