Navy Combat Corpsmen Return To Boxer from Iraq

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class James Bartels | Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (FMF) Rory Bostian, a Fleet Marine Force corpsman attached to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), monitors a patients blood pressure during sick call. Boxer is the flagship for Boxer Expeditionary Strike Group which completed operations in the Arabian Gulf conducting Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in support of U.S. 5th Fleet. MSO help set the conditions for security and stability in the Arabian Gulf and protect Iraq's sea-based infrastructure to help provide the Iraqi people the opportunity for self-determination. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James Bartels.  

04.24.2007

Courtesy Story

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet           

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James Bartels

USS BOXER, At Sea – The hospital corpsmen of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) (Special Operations Capable) returned to Boxer Expeditionary Strike Group (BOXESG) April 14 after conducting security operations in Iraq since mid-November.

Throughout several cities, the corpsmen provided medical care in the field and at several base camps for the Marines of the 15th MEU's (SOC) Air Combat Element (ACE), Battalion Landing Team (BLT) and Combat Logistics Battalion.

"We work well with the Marines because we do everything they do," said Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Christopher Visperas, the Fleet Marine Force corpsmen's leading chief petty officer. "We dig foxholes, patrol, march, and if we have to, we will fight to protect our patients."

Their secondary mission was providing preventive medical care by inspecting the cleanliness of the base camps to prevent unsanitary conditions that could lead to the spread of disease. The corpsmen also taught the Marines how to prevent the spreading or worsening of diseases and minor injuries such as malaria, trench foot and broken bones.

"Our job is to ensure that the health of our Marines is closely observed so they can stay mission ready," said Visperas. "A big concern in the field is preventative medicine. We don't want something small escalating into something that can lower the effectiveness of the troops."

Prior to joining the 15th MEU (SOC), corpsmen received specialized training on field operations and life as a Marine to become Fleet Marine Force corpsmen. To become an integral part of a Marine unit, they must dress and act like Marines and will sacrifice their personal safety to treat any Marine wounded or hurt in combat.

"Our Navy corpsmen are like our brothers," said Lance Cpl. Ken Redmon, attached to the 15th MEU's (SOC) BLT. "I can depend on them as much as they can depend on me during any situation."

Upon their return to USS Boxer (LHD 4) after operating in Iraq for five months, the MEU corpsmen began cross training with Boxer's corpsmen by sharing their field medicine experience and lessons learned while Boxer's medical staff shared their knowledge about shipboard medicine.

"It's good for Boxer's corpsmen to learn from the FMF corpsmen," said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (SW) Jennifer Gabbard, assigned to Boxer. "Their knowledge about quick responses to medical emergencies will only make us stronger corpsmen."

While Boxer continues on with the rest of its deployment and heads to its homeport of San Diego, the MEU corpsmen and ship's corpsmen will continue the proud tradition that Navy corpsmen have as some of the most decorated service members in the military.

"I couldn't have been more proud of what we accomplished out there," said Visperas. "Our people pulled together and overcame every obstacle that came their way."

Boxer and the 15th MEU (SOC) left the Arabian Gulf after operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) for five months. BOXESG is currently transiting through the U.S. 7th Fleet AOR. Boxer is the flagship for BOXESG, which completed Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in 5th Fleet April 19. MSO helps set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations.

• Date Taken: 04.24.2007
• Date Posted: 04.24.2007 09:52
• Story ID: 10087