By Capt. Tonia A. Jordan
212th Combat Support Hospital Public Affairs
MIROSLAWIEC, Poland – The 212th Combat Support Hospital continues to enhance the interoperability between the United States and the United Kingdom by integrating two officers from UK’s 2nd Medical Brigade in support of Anakonda 16.
One of the 212th CSH’s key training objectives for Anakonda 16 is to train with multi-national units to demonstrate their commitment to our coalition Allies while continuing to enhance interoperability throughout Europe. During this exercise the 212th CSH is providing medical coverage for multiple airborne missions, bridge crossing operations and all other key events. Two officers from, Lt. Col. Oliver Bartels of the 34 Field Hospital and Capt. Tom Magee of the 22 Field Hospital, integrated with the 212th CSH quickly to assist with clinical operations and medical planning.
Lt. Col. Bartels is an Anesthetist with the 34 FH in York, England and is currently the Clinical Director, equivalent to our Chief Medical Officer. As the Clinical Director he deployed to Sierra Leone as Medical Director of the UK Ebola Virus Disease Treatment Unit. His next major assumption of duties will be preparing the 34 FH to take over the Vanguard FH later this year. The Vanguard FH is the UK’s CBRNE Hospital. While with the 212th CSH, Lt. Col Bartels has worked side by side with the 212th CSH’s Chief Medical Officer, Lt. Col. Wes Clarkson. He has also given input during mass casualty exercises, provided assistance as a team leader for patient care, consulted with the certified registered nurse anesthetists, and gave a professional development class reference the Sierra Leone mission. His professionalism and expertise has assisted the members of the 212th CSH with meeting their internal training objectives.
Capt. Tom Magee is the Operations Officer with the 22 FH of Aldershot, England. Capt. Magee integrated with the security and operations staff in observing how 212th CSH works and determining ways he can integrate our processes and procedures into the daily operations of his FH. Capt. Magee is observing and assisting as a Battle Captain in the Main Command Post receiving and distributing information as it flows into the CSH from supporting units. He then gathers data and provides the Hospital Commander, Col. Brian Almquist, updates so that he can make informed decisions on the allocation of medical recourses.
“This is a great opportunity for us to collaborate with the UK and build on our tactics, techniques, and procedures to enhance the interoperability between our two Nations,” said Almquist. “Lt. Col. Bartels and Capt. Magee are great assets during this exercise and I look forward to working with 2 MED in upcoming exercises either here or in the UK.”
212th CSH continues to build relationships, interoperability, and a Strong Europe.