Medical team in Iraq stays ready to save lives

AL TAQADDUM, IRAQ

05.19.2008

Story by Sgt. Ben Eberle 

1st Marine Logistics Group

By Benjamin Eberle
1st Marine Logistic Group Public Affairs

AT-TAQADDUM, Iraq – Behind the towering concrete barriers and aluminum façade of the trauma hospital, members of a dedicated team make it their job to save lives.

Surgeons, medical providers and enlisted corpsmen deployed to Iraq in February with TQ Surgical, Medical Company, 1st Supply Battalion (reinforced), 1st Marine Logistics Group. They've treated American, Iraqi and enemy forces since their arrival.

"We're globally sourced," said Navy Lt. Jerry J. Bailey, executive officer of TQ Surgical, and combat veteran with multiple tours to Iraq. He said the unit's made up of active-duty and reserve service members, some of whom have civilian practices.

Their main purpose is to stabilize casualties, provide "life-and-limb" surgery if necessary, as well as safe transportation to other medical facilities in theater with higher levels of care. TQ Surgical is a level-two facility with surgical capabilities, but without the resources for prolonged in-patient treatment.

But the unit is not limited to treating serious, combat-related injuries. Decades of combined experience and diverse medical backgrounds also help the personnel tackle everything from illnesses to sport-related injuries.

"All of them are practitioners of expeditionary medicine," said Bailey, 39, from Corpus Christi, Texas. "You're talking about a finely tuned machine here."

The "fine tuning" didn't happen overnight. The Sailors started training eight months before their boots touched Iraqi soil, completing required Marine Corps pre-deployment training and at least three separate courses in advanced field medicine.

"After (our classes), we're more than prepared, almost overly prepared," said Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Jason L. Galleguillos, a Fleet Marine Force corpsman with TQ Surgical.

He paused for a moment, admitting there's no such thing as being "overly prepared" in a combat zone.

"We've got a small mobile team (operating throughout al-Anbar province). That's the type of thing we train for, and we have full confidence in them," said Galleguillos, a 23-year-old from Monterey, Calif. "We had the training available to us, and we had the best of what's out there."

TQ Surgical is designed to be a self-sustaining unit, providing its own drivers for both ambulances and trucks, its own communications and utilities specialists, even its own security element. All of these responsibilities are filled by Marines attached to the unit.

Their extensive training is essential, considering many of the service members (both enlisted and commissioned) are serving their first deployment to Iraq and making life-or-death decisions.

"Out here, you understand these are real lives coming in, it's not (a mannequin) anymore," Bailey said.

Navy Lt. Cmdr. Frank D. Dos Santos, an ER physician stationed in Naples, Fla., fully understands the weighty responsibilities, and said his years in the military have led up to this point.

"It's probably the most meaningful time of your career, being out here and taking care of Marines," Dos Santos said.

Since May 2007, casualties have dropped significantly throughout Iraq, especially in the Anbar province, but he said that's no reason to relax.

"Attacks are down, but unfortunately they're not down to zero, so we maintain a constant state of readiness by performing drills and different training scenerios," Dos Santos said.

There's no way to avoid the inherent stress, and running drills can't simulate the heartache and devastation that comes with losing a brother or sister in arms, but combat veterans are grateful the enemy threat has diminished from previous deployments.

"There's a whole lot less (indirect fire). I haven't been shot at yet," said Navy Lt. George J. Brand, 31, from Johnstown, W. Va. Currently serving as an en-route nurse with TQ Surgical, his job is to accompany casualties while they're transported by helicopter to level-three facilities in Iraq.

Brand received orders to a military hospital in Spain after Operation Iraqi Freedom started in 2003. He deployed to Mahmudiyah, a city south of Baghdad, a year later. Combat stress isn't new to him, and he's noted significant improvements in theater during this deployment.

"There's a lot less trauma, which means Marines are doing their job and staying safe, which makes us very happy," said Brand.

Hopefully the troops continue to oblige.

• Date Taken: 05.19.2008
• Date Posted: 05.19.2008 10:08
• Story ID: 19580
• Location: AL TAQADDUM, IQ