Military

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (Army News Service, July 2, 2003) -- Surgeon General of the Army Lt. Gen. James Peake visited soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan last week to observe first-hand the soldiers' living conditions, and assess the quality of medical support being delivered in the two areas of operation.

"I want to evaluate how the force structure worked, understand what needs to be adjusted based on the current combat phases of operation in Iraq and Afghanistan, and talk to key medical personnel in theater to determine follow-on requirements," said Peake.

Peake accompanied Acting Secretary of the Army Les Brownlee on a visit to the U.S. Central Commmand region June 23-29.

The speed and tenacity of combat units on the march to Baghdad in the early phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom was far better supported by the Army medical units than in Desert Storm, Peake said.

"The 212th Mobile Army Support Hospital responded quickly and effectively to the rapidly moving combat units in the early phase of OIF," Peake said, "accepting casualties quickly and providing emergency care as soon as possible."

"Forward surgical teams played a key role in ensuring that soldiers received medical care very quickly if needed," said Peake. "We didn't have our current forward surgical team structure to support the maneuver elements in the first Gulf War."

"Because of the forward surgical team, soldiers had medical care available, and could be stabilize before being very rapidly transported back to the hospital," said Peake.

"Combat support hospitals have the capability to be mobile on the battlefield," said Col. Chuck Hightower, the commander of the 1st Medical Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas, currently serving in Iraq.

Strategically located combat support hospitals provide the capability to perform lifesaving surgeries throughout the theater, said Hightower.

"The quality of medical care in our theater of operations, and the professionalism of our medical service personnel is outstanding," said Devil Brigade Command Sgt. Maj. Gary Kalenofski, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Kandahar, Afghanistan.

"The focused and intensive training received by our 91W soldiers (health care specialists), coupled with increased command emphasis on the Combat Lifesaver Program have contributed significantly to our soldiers receiving qualified medical care as soon as possible," Kalenofski said.

Peake assisted Brownlee in awarding 18 Combat Medical Badges to outstanding medics supporting the 504th PIR in Kandahar.

Peake commented on innovative new medical systems that have been put in place to enhance medical care in combat environments. Those systems include the Chemical Biological Protective Shelters, which allow operations without donning chemical protective suits; and also a more refined troop Redeployment Medical Checklist to better assess soldiers' medical needs before they redeploy from combat operations.

"The CBPS allows us to provide medical care more efficiently," said Col. Beverly Pritchett, the commander of the 28th Combat Support Hospital. "The plastic shelters keep dust out and allow hospitals to operate in a sterile environment."

"The CBPS cuts about 15 percent off the median temperature and allows hospitals to operate in up to 120-degree heat," said Pritchett.

Redeployment medical processing is a mandatory requirement that is being met in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Our troop medical deployment checklist allows us to better assess, track and identify soldiers' medical requirements before they depart theater. It's also part of the pre-deployment checklist; it allows us to track and provide medical care to soldiers throughout the deployment cycle," said Lt. Col. Charles Eggleston, 4th Infantry Division surgeon.

"Board-certified physicians are assigned as surgeons in the divisions, and they have access to state-of-the art equipment," said Peake. "If mass casualties occur, we have the capabilities to provide the appropriate medical care."

"The medical care our soldiers have received has been truly outstanding, said Maj. Gen. J.R. Vines, commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force-180, Afghanistan. "Our medical personnel have an extra level of maturity and expertise, our soldiers deserve and receive high quality medical care."

"The dedication and outstanding capabilities of our Reserve medical professionals have proved invaluable, and significantly enhance our ability to execute our mission," said Vines.

"Command emphasis on hygiene and cultural awareness has been tremendous," said Peake. "Instances of disease and non-battle injuries have been low."

Peake, the Army's 40th surgeon general, began his Army career as an infantry officer with the 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky. He was notified of his acceptance to medical school while recovering from a gunshot wound in a military hospital in Chu Lai, Vietnam.

(Editor's note: Lt. Col. Jeremy Martin from Army Public Affairs provided the information for this article.)