By Spc. Kate Hoit
LOGISTICS SUPPORT AREA ANACONDA, Balad, Iraq -- A team of 20 Australian soldiers work alongside U.S. Airmen and soldiers at the Air Force Theater Hospital treating injured people here.
Australian air force, army and navy personnel have joined together, forming a tight-knit group to accomplish the mission with their American counterparts.
"Our mission is to integrate and provide expert medical and nursing services in support of coalition efforts â?¦we are here to help with the rebuilding process," said Wing Commander Michael Paterson, OIC of the Australian Medical Detachment.
The Australian Defense Force is comprised of 50,000 service members.
The culture here is different from what they are used to. In their home environment, they work as teams generally much smaller.
The self-named Australian Medical Detachment consists of five doctors, four medical assistants and 11 nurses.
The ranks of the service members range from O-6 special doctors to an E-3 who works in the emergency room.
For Paterson, who is a nurse on the civilian side, a lot of the work he performs is familiar, but he admits at times, it can be a struggle.
"All of us enjoy working here. It's professionally challenging, but it's been rewarding," Paterson said.
For Paterson, a typical day starts at 6:30 a.m. He manages patients, assists with emergencies and aids the chief nurse.
He is also in charge of the administration work for the detachment. Other personnel stabilize and process patients before they are flown to Germany.
"Certainly there are a lot of things we haven't seen before. This is a huge experience, and we are learning a great deal from it," said Maj. Marc Reissenweber, a critical care nurse.
Australian navy Lt. Diana Kumnick said, "Once we got used to the accents, it's been great."
To be part of the reconstruction of Iraq and to experience working side-by-side with U.S. troops has been stimulating and satisfying for the Australians.
"Australia is committed to the coalition, and we are happy to be here," Paterson said.
The Australians are nearing the end of their six month deployment here, and it has not been determined if there will be a replacement detachment.
Editors Note: Spc. Hoit is a member of the 301st Area Support Group Public Affairs Office at LSA Anaconda.
| Date Taken: | 02.04.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 02.04.2005 16:05 |
| Story ID: | 1115 |
| Location: | BALAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 86 |
| Downloads: | 21 |
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