Photo By Cameron Parks | Medical professionals from collaborating countries gather for a group photo during the...... read more read more
The Operational Medical Systems Program Management Office (PMO) joined military representatives from 20 partner nations across the CENTCOM Area of Responsibility at the 2025 Medical Security Cooperation Exchange, San Antonio, Texas, May 11-15, 2025. The MSCE is designed to foster operational and strategic medical collaboration between allied nations working to address common health security challenges.
“MSCE is more than an exchange—it is a strategic platform to shape the future of multinational medical engagement,” said U.S. Army Col. Larry J. McCord, CENTCOM command surgeon. In the face of evolving health threats and increasing operational demands, he added, MSCE provides a critical, real-time opportunity to connect, exchange insights, and align efforts across the medical domain to promote interoperability and improve continuity of patient care. Throughout the event, McCord encouraged participants to actively explore how their collective experiences can advance interoperability, training, and health across the region.
“As the premier developer of combat medical solutions for the Department of Defense, OPMED greatly appreciated the opportunity to participate in this exchange,” said U.S. Army Col. Owen L. Roberts, OPMED’s program manager. “We are laser-focused on rapid, mission-driven innovation—delivering agile, user-informed capabilities that respond to the urgent needs of those we serve. The MSCE was an opportunity to foster enhanced regional partnerships.”
McCord opened the event by challenging the attendees with five major operational tasks for the CENTCOM AOR: Maximizing capabilities in limited resource environments by better leveraging partner nations to provide healthcare solutions; utilizing information technology and innovative solutions to improve survivability rates; enabling real-time digital visualization of medical assets, patient management, and medical logistics to allow commanders to make risk-informed decisions; effectively responding to the changing character of drone warfare; and improving how the Joint Force works with partner nations in strategically critical regions.
“It was especially critical for us to hear directly from CENTCOM about the operational challenges they face,” said Roberts. “OPMED, with the rest of the Joint Service medical enterprise, is dedicated to finding solutions to these problem sets. This includes equipping commanders with a medical common operating picture to enhance situational awareness and decision-making.”
Meeting discussions focused on prolonged care in austere and resource-limited environments, with an emphasis on novel oxygen-generating or whole blood solutions that provide additional capabilities above freeze-dried and frozen plasma, Roberts said. Another key topic was electronic warfare and the ability of adversaries to use drones to target known electronic signals. As new medical capabilities are fielded—particularly those that generate data—they must avoid creating unique electronic “fingerprints” that can rapidly become real-time targets.
The conversation also addressed a major operational pivot—the transition from human-led patient evacuation to drone-enabled and autonomous evacuation solutions, potentially combined with remote monitoring of patients. This shift is seen as critical to maintaining pace with evolving battlefield conditions and will require aggressive support.
According to Roberts, the MSCE discussions reinforced the paradigm shift to Large-Scale Combat Operations, with an emphasis on prolonged field care. This requires aligning investments with new medical capabilities that can be fielded within 24 to 36 months. Overall, the session set the tone for forward-looking innovation driven in part by OPMED’s public-private partnerships, with an emphasis on delivering “tomorrow’s technology, today’s solution.”
OPMED rapidly provides effective medical solutions for the Joint Force, focusing on tailored acquisition to meet Service needs. The aim is to enhance lethality and survivability while promoting sustainable function and mobility, all while ensuring adaptability and affordability in battlefield medicine.
OPMED, a vital component of the Defense Health Agency, is focused on enhancing Warfighter lethality and readiness. OPMED develops and delivers next-generation, world-class medical capabilities that empower combatant commanders in Large-Scale Combat Operations, particularly within austere environments.
| Date Taken: | 05.19.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 05.20.2025 10:51 |
| Story ID: | 498340 |
| Location: | SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 81 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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