U.S. Soldiers, NATO Partners and Allies Conduct an International Tactical Combat Casualty Care Training

GRAFENWOEHR , RP, GERMANY

09.13.2019

Story by Maj. Ellis Parks 

7th Army Training Command

U.S. Army Medics assigned to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment and 41st Field Artillery Brigade joined soldiers and civilians from four different NATO ally and partner nations to participate in 7th Army Training Command’s (7ATC) International Tactical Combat Casualty Care Training at Grafenwoehr, Germany, Sept. 9-13, 2019.
The training took place in several different areas in and around 7ATC’s Grafenwoehr Training Area and was conducted to improve the medical interoperability between the participating nations.
”Working with the internationals is a good thing because you are used to, in your own country, all the equipment you are using,” said Sgt. Kajander Jone, a medical instructor from Finland. “You will see in rapid force, the equipment is different and you are going to learn every type (of equipment).”
The annual medical event brings together nations from across Europe and allows them the opportunity to converse, exchange notes and experience differences in practices from their respective countries. Medical personnel and Soldiers from Austria, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Hungary, the U.S. and the United Kingdom took part in this year’s training.
We hope to maintain “continued support from CATC and 7ATC for medical training and continued collaboration with allies to increase medical interoperability on the battlefield,” said Master Sgt. Annalita Chavez-Pratt, 7ATC’s surgeon cell NCOIC.
The students were evaluated on; treatment for hypothermia, needle chest decompression, advanced airways adjuncts (nasopharyngeal airway insertion), treatment for upper and lower extremity hemorrhage, wound packing, fluid resuscitation protocols, evacuation platforms, pain management, and treatment for shock. One significant part of the grading criteria was how efficiently the students moved and how they maintained their bearing under duress.
“7ATC medical personnel from any one of our units, 2CR, 173rd, 41st, may find themselves in an austere environment where advanced medical training is required to save lives.” said Chavez- Pratt.
One of the differences to this year’s training was the inclusion of air medical evacuation procedures. Students were not graded on this portion but were taught how to properly enter and exit a helicopter with simulated casualties.
Evaluators were brought in from multiple areas across the medical field to assist with this year’s training. They developed and oversaw the training the Soldiers and personnel endured for the five days.
“We don’t train until we get it right,” said Tim Cranton, an instructor from NAEMT Attiliate Faculty and one of the evaluators for this year’s medical training. “We train until we cannot get it wrong.”

• Date Taken: 09.13.2019
• Date Posted: 09.24.2019 05:29
• Story ID: 343265
• Location: GRAFENWOEHR , RP, DE