Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Jeron Walker | Georgia Army National Guardsmen with the Marietta based 248th Medical Company provides...... read more read more
Georgia Army National Guardsmen with the Marietta based 248th Medical Company deployed to Iraq to provide medical support. Although the company operated overseas during the pandemic, they were still required to overcome the expanded impact of COVID-19 in an austere environment. The 248th Medical Company was not affected by COVID-19 throughout the training leading up to the deployment. However, throughout the latter half of their deployment, the virus escalated to a pandemic level.
“COVID heavily influenced our deployment because we were trying to understand what it was because it happened after we got there,” said Sgt. Art Lester, a medical logistics specialist with the 248th Medical Company. “There were a lot of things that were put in place to make sure we were adhering to established CDC guidelines directed CONUS.” Lester also stated that he ensured the unit was supplied with the required equipment to properly treat victims of the virus, as well as any other diseases and injuries.
The unit previously deployed to Egypt from 2015 to 2016 in support of a peacekeeping mission which later became a high risk tour due to the escalated conflict between Egypt and Israel. The Soldiers who deployed to Egypt realized that they needed to completely reassess and execute the missions differently in Iraq.
“We were required to limit practical assessments and classroom activities normally required for mass casualty exercises to small cells in order to satisfy METL training requirements,” said Staff Sgt. Wayne Terry, a platoon sergeant with the 248th Medical Company. Terry also stated that the changes in the operation challenged his knowledge of planning sustainment factors to ensure logistical components were readily available. Additionally, the unit was required to enhance safety procedures to mitigate the risk of succombingt to the virus as they transitioned throughout the area of operations, being that they were the only surgical element.
“What I learned from this deployment is that whenever you’re not progressing, you are deteriorating” said 1st Lt. Dylan Davidson, the company field medical assistant.
Despite the pandemic, the 248th Medical Company managed to make the necessary adjustments and execute duties throughout their deployment. The myriad of challenges forced the company to adapt, ultimately enhancing unit cohesion. The rear detachment faced the challenge of the pandemic by responding to domestic mission requirements where they partnered with Air Force counterparts, interagency partners and other DoD entities. These entities came together to form a Medical Task Force where they executed missions throughout the state to combat the pandemic. The company in 2020 displayed effective readiness, capability and resilience throughout any challenge they faced. They even managed to save some lives no matter where the missions were.
U.S. Army National Guard Story by Staff Sgt. Jeron Walker
| Date Taken: | 05.06.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 05.06.2021 10:12 |
| Story ID: | 395795 |
| Location: | IQ |
| Web Views: | 537 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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