MASCAL tests medical resources

Photo By 1st Sgt. David Bennett | Soldiers from the 204th Area Support Medical Co. treat a mock patient during a MASCAL exercise conducted at COB Basra, Dec. 15. Because of the scope of the MASCAL, which included 20 camps, camp supervisors were instructed three weeks out to each develop an effective training plan.  

BASRA, IRAQ

12.22.2009

Story by 1st Sgt. David Bennett 

367th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq — Stopping abruptly in the gravel parking lot, two Soldiers ran from their pickup truck and called for litter bearers to assist them with a wounded troop who had a fractured leg and was wailing in pain.

As medics outside Contingency Operations Base Basra Hospital tended to others still arriving, physicians assistants moved down the line of prone patients who waited in a nearby triage site. Among the chaos, observers stood by looking for any signs of breakdowns in the treatment process.

Though the bloody wounds were applied moulage — movie-style makeup — and the patients volunteers, the mass casualty exercise conducted, Dec. 15, tested the real medical capabilities in case an emergency of great proportions ever occurs.

1st Lt. John Fernandez, medical operations officer assistant with the 34th Inf. Div., explained that the exercise was meant to evaluate a host of considerations, including sound communications, casualty evacuation plans, triage procedures and available medical assets.

He explained that having a seamless system is the objective, from first responders taking the appropriate action when they first come upon a casualty to the surgery in the operating room. Everything in between, Fernandez said, is a coordinated effort.

To prepare for the exercise, medical trainers conducted three-hour first aid classes for 34 people, Dec. 10. Most of the participants were British and Iraqi contractors who work and live on eight contractor camps on COB Basra.

"This is the first time we have involved military and civilian," Fernandez said, explaining that the COB had conducted a smaller MASCAL in September, with just military personnel.

He said, because many contractors reside on the base, the importance of an inclusive plan was vital. Because of the scope of the MASCAL, which included 20 camps, camp supervisors were instructed three weeks out to each develop an effective training plan.

Good communication throughout the exercise was a key priority.

"Language was huge because not all of our contractors speak English," he said. "We tried to make it as basic as we could."

Three hours before the message went over the loudspeakers to begin, about 40 Soldiers and civilians huddled in the hospital to receive moulage. Volunteers handed over index cards telling trainers what to apply.

Fake wounds ranged from deep bruising to traumatic amputations. Medical rules of engagement dictate that cases that affect life, limb or eyesight be sent to the hospital. Twenty-five such patients were made up to suffer such serious injuries.

Spc. Anthony Cubus, assistant manager at Camp Blue Diamond, described his motivation for volunteering while sporting an exposed wound on his forehead.

"I volunteered to help the camp," he said. "It's important that everyone know what's going on."
Staff Sgt. Jason Alexander, in charge of medical and simulator training for the 204th Area Support Medical Co., told the players that what is realistically experienced is better learned and retained. So when being treated by first responders, he wanted casualties to scream loud.

Alexander said he has been involved with other such exercises, but this was his largest.
As the "walking wounded" filed past to a bus parked outside, an assistant used a spray bottle to squirt fresh fake blood on their clothing.

More than three hours later, Cpl. Phillip Whitcher, the non-commissioned officer in charge of the base's dental clinic, was busy carrying litters and filling in where he could. He took a break to assess the scene.

"It's been pretty smooth," Whitcher said. "The more you do these, the better you become."

Maj. Scott Piecek, the division's medical operations officer, said the simple definition of a MASCAL is any medical emergency that exceeds normal capabilities, and this qualified. In the end, he said, it should be beneficial to all of those involved.

"I hope after today, we create a little muscle memory so everyone knows what to do in the future," Piecek said.

• Date Taken: 12.22.2009
• Date Posted: 12.22.2009 01:41
• Story ID: 43022
• Location: BASRA, IQ