Posted on 05/18/2006 9:00:11 PM PDT by SandRat
TIKRIT, Iraq (Army News Service, May 17, 2006) – Iraqi Army Soldiers are now bringing their own medics to the battlefield. During Operation Iron Triangle, medics from the 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division, were a prevalent force among detainees.
“My duty is to help anyone who is sick or a casualty,” said 1st Sgt. Zaed Sudan, an Iraqi Army medic who helped check and treat detainees.
“If there were casualties on any side we would work together to take care of them,” said Sudan. “We are ready at any time for what may happen.”
Working with coalition forces is a normal trend for the Iraqi Army medics, who have partnered with the 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division, since mid-January.
“We try to partner with their operations and teach them what we know,” said 1st Lt. Roland Breden, a medical platoon leader for the 3-320th FA. “They do a lot of their own evacuations.”
As training increases, so too, does the Iraqi medics’ assertiveness. In a recent incident, a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated outside the front gate of a forward operating base. Iraqi medics were on the scene immediately.
“They had policed everyone up before we got there,” said Breden. “They are very responsive.”
The Iraqi Army medics maximized the capabilities of both forces during the operation and took advantage of the chance to gain practical experience.
“This isn’t our first rodeo – we’ve worked together before and seen traumatic injuries together,” said Breden. “With a few words of encouragement they take on the challenges. They’re pretty good.”
(Editor’s note: Spc. Cassandra Groce writes for the 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.)
A good medic group could have a very positive effect on the army in general, above and beyond medical care.
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