The sun climbs over the eastern mountains near Forward Operating Base (FOB) Shank in Logar Province, Afghanistan. Its an early morning for the 4th Kandak Afghanistan National Army (ANA) medics as they inspect their medical aid bags, ensuring they are ready for the day ahead.
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4th Kandak ANA medics preparing medical aid bags
FOB Shank - Logar Province, Afghanistan |
These ANA medics are students of the 173d Airborne and the 909th Forward Surgical Team (FST). They have spent months in lectures, learning how to perform life saving interventions for their brethren on the battle field.
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SSG Penn giving "airway lecture" to the 4th Kandak ANA medics
FOB Shank - Logar Province, Afghanistan |
The medical lectures were provided by SGT Fielder of the 173d Airborne BSB and SSG Penn of the 909th FST. But what makes this especially difficult was not just the language barrier, but the fact that many of these Afghan medics also required lessons in basic reading and writing.
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SSG Penn giving "airway lecture" to the 4th Kandak ANA medics
FOB Shank - Logar Province, Afghanistan |
Afghanistan is a country devastated, not only by war, but by lack of education. Nearly 90% of its population is illiterate. By providing these soldiers with basic reading and writing skills, SGT Fielder and SSG Penn ensured they would be able to continue learning on their own. - Knowledge is power.
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SSG Penn providing instructions via interpreter to the 4th Kandak ANA medics
FOB Shank - Logar Province, Afghanistan |
Months of lecture and individual skill labs culminated in this morning's "trauma lane exercise" (TLE). The TLE is a practical "hands on" exercise that tests the lessons learned in a simulated war environment. Medics from Charlie Company, 173d Airborne and the 909th FST position the last of the “casualties” and adjust moulaged wounds.
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Medics from the 173d Airborne and 909th FST position "casualty" for TLE
FOB Shank - Logar Province, Afghanistan |
SGT Fielder (C Med 173d Airborne BSB), medical training liaison officer (LNO), commented on the program “We are looking to see that these guys are able to take care of their fellow soldiers. They have had the classes and they know the how to perform the tasks – today is about putting it all together.”
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SGT Fielder gives final words of instruction to 4th Kandak ANA medics.
FOB Shank - Logar Province, Afghanistan |
As the exercise kicked off, SSG Penn addressed the class. “You have studied hard and have the knowledge in your heads. We have watched you train and are confident you have the necessary skills to save lives and treat the wounds of your fellow soldiers. Today is about you gaining confidence in yourselves – it is about doing the things you have learned as medics.”
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4th Kandak ANA medics receive instruction prior to start of their TLC by SSG Penn.
SSG Neumann, instructor from 909th FST, (background) prepares to evaluate students as they move through the TLC
FOB Shank - Logar Province, Afghanistan |
As the scenario unfolded each Medic performed to standard. Care under fire, bleeding control, airway management and IVs were tested and evaluated.
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4th Kandak ANA medic prepares to treat "casualty"
FOB Shank - Logar Province, Afghanistan |
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4th Kandak ANA medics carry "casualty" away from the battlefield to a safe area for treatment.
FOB Shank - Logar Province, Afghanistan |
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4th Kandak ANA medic inserts IV into "casualty"
FOB Shank - Logar Province, Afghanistan |
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SSG Neumann provides "on the spot" advice to 4th Kandak ANA medics during trauma lane exercise.
FOB Shank - Logar Province, Afghanistan |
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SGT Fielder oversees 4th Kandak ANA medic as he prepares to treat "casualty"
FOB Shank - Logar Province, Afghanistan |
The TLE is a pre-cursor to medical training in Kabul. Soldiers who are designated “Medics” by their company commanders attend class 4 hours per day and study such topics as Tactical Combat Casualty Care, tourniquets and hemorrhage control, needle chest decompression and IV catheter placement. Most lessons are taught via an interpreter with limited training aids. Students who pass a literacy exam are then sent to Kabul for more formal training, where upon completion they are awarded a medical military occupational specialty (MOS).
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4th Kandak ANA medics "duck and cover" as they receive simulated small arms fire during trauma lane exercise
FOB Shank - Logar Province, Afghanistan |
As the last “casualty” was evacuated the class gathered for an after action review (AAR). Through an interpreter, one ANA medic commented - “We are happy from the things you have taught us. After today we know we can help someone who is hurt in battle. We are brothers with each other and with your medics.” Smiling and confident the class paused for a group picture before shouldering their packs and returning to duty.
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4th Kandak ANA medic students.
FOB Shank - Logar Province, Afghanistan |
In a small way these classes are helping a struggling force and nation learn to stand on its own. Hopefully, in the not so distant future, these skills will be applied more to car accidents and less to injuries sustained in war.
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4th Kandak ANA medic proud of his accomplishments
FOB Shank - Logar Province, Afghanistan |
These and other photos can be viewed at the FaST Surgeon Picasa Web album, "Blood Brothers" (http://picasaweb.google.com/FaSTSurgeon/BloodBrothers#)
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