Story by: Tech Sgt. Samara Scott
HERAT, Afghanistan - The Joint Medical Operations Cell conducted refresher litter training with the 207th Afghan National Army Corps Medical Group at Camp Zafar, April 27.
The JMOC conducted initial litter training six months ago. Today, eight soldiers from the Corps Medical Group attended the refresher training. The training consisted of hands-on demonstrations of two-man litter carry, four-man litter carry, uphill and downhill litter carry, load and unloading patients to and from an ambulance, and transfer of patient to and from spine board with stretcher.
"The ANA were really happy to be there," said Army Sgt. Rance Beck, medic mentor for the ANA, stationed at Headquarter Service Battery, 1-17th Fields Artillery Regiment, 75th Fires Brigade, Fort Still, Okla., who lives in Chiefland, Fla. "All of them were very motivated and eager to learn.
The training will occur again within the next six months. Additional training such as transfer of patients to and from rotary wing aircraft and fixed wing aircraft, tourniquet application, medical care, and transport of injured ANA soldiers will be added to the course.
"The training went really well," said Spc. Mary J. Rodriguez, medic mentor for the ANA, stationed at Headquarter Service Battery, 1-17th Fields Artillery Regiment, 75th Fires Brigade, Fort Still, who lives in San Antonio. "Things in the medical field are constantly changing so we want to ensure the ANA are prepared for any situation."
Beck and Rodriguez also teach the Basic Combat Life Saver course to the ANA soldiers. The training has been such success, that the ANA medics who have graduated from the course are able to now teach it to their own troops reinforcing the “Train the Trainer” program throughout the Corps.