Photo By Sgt. Robert Baumgartner | Iraqi policemen of the elite Tactical Support Unit from An Nasiriyah conduct an after...... read more read more
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Spc. Robert H. Baumgartner
82nd Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs
CAMP MITTICA, Iraq – Ten members of an elite Iraqi security team from An Nasiriyah graduated from a combat casualty treatment course run by the 82nd Sustainment Brigade here Tuesday.
The graduates from the week-long course were taught to recognize and assess casualties, then effectively treat the wounds under simulated battlefield stress conditions. To do so, the 82nd Sustainment Brigade (SB) medical team had to maximize the training value in the limited time provided.
According to Maj. Brian Krakover, deputy brigade surgeon for the 82nd Sustainment Brigade and one of the course instructors, that task couldn't have been easier due to the skill and knowledge of the Iraqis.
"These guys are great. I only have to tell them once. We instructed them one day on how to organize the medical bag so they could find what they were looking for in the dark, and so they could direct someone else to the necessary supply if they were unable to reach it. The next day when we handed out the bags again, they immediately arranged it like we instructed them the day before," Krakover said.
The fact that the students were members of an elite police team, known as the Tactical Support Unit (TSU), may have made training them easier. Nevertheless, what the students accomplished during the week was nothing short of miraculous, Krakover said.
"The most important thing is that they improved dramatically from one iteration to the next. These guys learn so fast. In the last exercise, the leaders took control, keeping a sense of urgency, keeping things under control, maintaining security. They moved the casualty to a safe location, and properly treated them," he said.
What also impressed the instructors was the Iraqi's initiative and existing skills. The TSU members did not simply regurgitate what they had been taught, but exercised sound judgment and demonstrated tactical proficiency in evacuating their wounded buddies. When they loaded the casualties on the truck, Krakover thought "wow, they are just throwing people in the vehicle!" But as he watched, it became evident they knew what they were doing.
"They put the guy with the abdominal wound in the front seat, then put the guy with the leg wound in the back so he could be splinted and keep his leg extended. All these moving pieces acted correctly, independent of each other, and I thought 'wow, we didn't teach them that,'" Krakover said.
This course made an already important and effective police unit even more formidable in defending the citizens of An Nasiriyah from the grip of terror networks and roving bands of illegitimate armed militias.
"These guys are serious combat multipliers. They fight Jaysh al Mahdi and other insurgent groups. And now they are even more effective," Krakover said.
With the last training exercise completed, the TSU officers formed up and received not only certificates of graduation from an intensive training course, but adulation and respect from the 82nd SB medical team.
"Every time these guys went through an exercise they got dramatically better. The combination of their effort and skills has presented a significant benefit to the TSU," said Maj. James Deak, medical operations planner with the 82nd SB, also one of the course instructors.
One by one, the Iraqi's were called up to receive their certificates from the Deputy Commanding Officer of the 82nd SB, Lt. Col. Lenny Kness. After shaking the graduates hand and wishing them well, Kness expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to work closely with the TSU.
"Thank you for allowing us to be part of your training. It was a terrific opportunity to train together and share experiences as the true team that we are. Thank you," Kness said.
After the applause and the congratulations, and the many thanks exchanged between instructors and students, Krakover had some final words of encouragement for the TSU.
"Keep learning, keep practicing, and teach what you've learned to the rest of your men. Always look for new and creative ways to solve problems you come across. You are definitely up to the task," he said.
| Date Taken: | 09.13.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 09.13.2007 09:17 |
| Story ID: | 12322 |
| Location: | IQ |
| Web Views: | 652 |
| Downloads: | 542 |
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