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Release Number: 04-10-72
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TASK FORCE DANGER MEDICS TRAIN IRAQI NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIERS
TUZ, Iraq -- Medical Platoon soldiers from the 209th Iraqi National Guard Battalion and Soldiers from the 30th Brigade Combat Team’s Task Force 120 conducted a mass casualty training exercise Oct. 22 at the 209th Battalion Annex near here.
This training was a culminating exercise as the 209th ING Battalion stands up its medical platoon to provide for emergency care for its soldiers in their area around Tuz.
The training consisted of Soldiers’ reaction to an improvised explosive device on a military convoy, evacuating casualties, medical evaluation and treatment, and air medical evacuation procedures. The medical teams were combined between the ING medics and the Multi-National Forces-Iraq medics to simulate how a real emergency might take place in a joint operation.
The ING medical personnel have been going through intensive training with the help of coalition medical personnel for the last three months. The continuing coordination to provide emergency care will improve the ability of the Iraqi National Guard to conduct operations.
“The [ING] soldiers need to know they will be taken care of medically if they get injured. That will give them more confidence on the battlefield,” said Capt. James McCann, physician assistant with Task Force 120 and the person responsible for establishing a medical training center for the 209th ING Battalion.
“I have absolute confidence in their abilities and leadership and I think they are going to go along way for this National Guard Battalion and the future of Iraq.”
Sgt Thomas Dillone, a medic for Task Force 120 and responsible for much of the training for the 209th ING Medics, complimented the Iraqi National Guard Medics on how they took to the training.
“I have been teaching medics for a number of years, and I have never had more dedicated, more motivated students in my life. They make me happy, they want to learn and they apply themselves to it,” he said. “Making this platoon work is very important to them.”
The Iraqi National Guard continues to improve its capabilities to operate and provide for a safe and secure environment for the people of Iraq.
