Camp Taji Conducts Mass Casualty Exercise

Photo By Staff Sgt. Shannon R. Gregory | Sgt. 1st Class Norman D. Pearce, assigned to Regimental Troop Squadron, BDOC, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Tennessee Army National Guard, gathers information from two volunteers during a mass casualty exercise at Camp Taji, March 4. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Shannon R. Gregory)  

CAMP TAJI, IRAQ

03.20.2010

Courtesy Story

278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Tennessee Army National Guard

By Staff Sgt. Thomas Greene

CAMP TAJI, Iraq — The call comes to the front gate. There has been a blast in the vicinity of the Post Exchange. Initial reports suggest multiple injuries to Soldiers and bystanders.

Spc. Chris Valez, from Manchester, Tenn., and a member of Troop B, Regimental Support Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Tennessee Army National Guard executes the closing of his entry gate to Camp Taji.

"We just shut down the gates. It doesn't matter where (the explosion) it happens. Nothing gets in or out," said Valez.

Meanwhile at ground zero of this mock exercise, a frenzy of activity is taking place.

Master Sgt. Melvin Brown, from Whitehouse, Tenn. and a member of Headquarters Troop, Regimental Troops Squadron, of the 278th was an Observer Controller, on the exercise. He said the scenario was to simulate a rocket strike near the smoking gazebo by the Post Exchange (south side).

"We had a good response after the mock explosion. Buddy aid and first aid started almost immediately after the explosion. The SOC (Secure Our Country) forces secured the area around the PX and the Pavilion next to it which was used as a casualty collection point."

Brown continued, "Wheeled ambulances arrived in a timely manner. There were 25 casualties in all. SOC, U.S. Soldiers and even venders assisted aid and litter teams."

From inside the Troop Medical Center, 2nd Lt. Susan Hughes from Knoxville, Tenn. and the 278th Regimental Nurse was an OC.

Hughes said the TMC did its job. They dispatched ambulances, prepared the treatment center to receive mock wounded, prioritized the severity of the wounds and prioritized the wounded for forward evacuation.

Hughes explained the purpose of the mass casualty exercise. "It is for training people to respond as though the situation were real. That includes receiving information, dispatching ambulances, and setting up the trauma center."

Hughes added another benefit of the exercise is to identify glitches in any of the procedures.

When asked how the TMC performed, Hughes said "I would trust them to save my life."

• Date Taken: 03.20.2010
• Date Posted: 03.20.2010 17:07
• Story ID: 46940
• Location: CAMP TAJI, IQ