Soldiers teach Iraqi counterparts during mass-evacuation exercise

Spc. Luisito Brooks/4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division

NASIR WA SALAM, Iraq – The clock is crucial when treating serious injuries.

Knowing this, the 24th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division conducted a mass casualty evacuation training exercise with assistance from 24th Bde., 6th Div. Military Transition Team and 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Jan. 29.

“This training will only use Iraqi Army assets,” said Sgt. 1st Class Juan Olivarez, the 24th Bde., a medical NCO. “It will show what needs improvement with current casualty evacuation system, and then we can address them.”

Before the actual training could begin, some of the Iraqi soldiers encountered a real-world situation that underscored the importance of the exercise.

“One of the battalions was missing a medic because he was out on a mission,” said Lt. Ali, the 24th Bde., surgeon. “Another soldier was called to step in and cover his duties.”

An alarm sounded at the start of the exercise, signaling that a simulated mortar round had just hit. Each battalion had to quickly evaluate and treat the injured, evacuating those who needed additional care. U.S. medics expressed satisfaction with response times.

“They worked fast with the initial treatment,” said Sgt. James Grady, a combat medic with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4-9 Inf., 4th Bde. “Onsite treatment is most important when it comes to saving the lives of seriously injured because of blood loss.”

The route to the aid station was designed to assist each battalion in quickly transporting the injured to the aid station with less chance of causing traffic jams or accidents.

Upon arrival at the aid station, the brigade surgeon quickly examined the injured.

“My guys did well getting the injured to the aid station, so all of the injured were saved,” said Ali, acknowledging that because it was an exercise, not everything was 100-percent realistic.

“One of the injuries was a head injury,” he said, “and for this exercise we (simulated) that he was airlifted to the local hospital.”

After the training was complete, the U.S. and Iraqi leaders were able to sit down, drink some chai tea and discuss their performances.

“This training is something that all Iraqi soldiers should know,” said Ali. “The Americans won’t be here forever, and this is something that we need to work on for our soldiers.”