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thedrifter
06-07-04, 10:42 AM
MARFOR, Thai medical exercise saving lives

Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification #: 20046692150
Story by Lance Cpl. Rose A. Muth



CAMP SAMAESAN, Kingdom of Thailand (May 23, 2004) -- Lacerations, a heart attack, an appendectomy and cancer are just a few of the many medical conditions that were treated by the dream team of Marine Forces Medical personnel during Cobra Gold ‘04.

Cobra Gold was a joint-combined field training exercise in Thailand between the Royal Thai armed forces and U.S. armed forces May 12-27. More than 6,000 Marines participated in this exercise, which included approximately 4,000 Marines from 3rd Marine Division, based on Okinawa, Japan.

According to U.S. Navy Commander Loring I. Perry, combined MARFOR surgeon, this group of 160 Naval personnel was spread out over a thousand miles of terrain in seven different base camps which all provided level-one care.

“Level-one facilities are primarily Battalion Aide Stations. They provide sick call care and can treat minor injuries,” Perry said. “Level-two facilities provide slightly higher support, such as surgical support with x-ray capabilities. Level-three facilities are where patients require hospitalization, which may require us to use a host nation hospital as we have done here.”

Perry explained that care provided during Cobra Gold ranged from animal bites to even a quintuple bypass heart surgery.

“Over the course of the exercise we performed a significant number of surgeries that required the patients to go to Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok,” Perry said.

Chief Petty Officer Jesus D. Salabao, assistant medical planner, MARFOR Medical, explained that cross training with the Thais’ medical force was a good experience also.

“We put a joint-combined military exercise together with the Royal Thai Marines and Royal Thai Navy which lasted three days,” Salabao said. “The training included professional military education on various topics, such as heat casualties, tropical medicine and snake bites.”

“There was a mass casualty drill performed, which involved high joint interaction with the military and our (Thai) counterparts,” Perry said. “There was (also) close interaction with our counterparts out in the field.”

With Thailand’s long-ranging countryside, there were various logistical challenges the Sailors and Thai military had to overcome.

“Depending on location, the Thais provided medical transportation, care and medical expertise to help manage illness and move injured Marines to level-three facilities,” Perry said.

Petty Officer First Class Silverio A. Lopez, leading petty officer at the pharmacy here, feels confident the exercise will help improve patient care.

“We had 16 Corpsmen and one dedicated Marine (who) helped provide level-one care here,” Salabao said. “We gave the Thais a tour of our BAS and it went well. They asked a lot of questions about certain equipment, and we feel confident that we helped train them on new technology.”

“Our primary mission here was to save lives,” Perry said. “The MARFOR Medical team and the Thai Marines and Royal Navy all rose to the occasion to accomplish that goal. Everyone has had a 110 percent outstanding attitude the whole exercise.”


http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20046692449/$file/Release0252-2004-04low.jpg

CAMP SAMAESAN, Kingdom of Thailand — Seaman Alfonso Grimaldo (right), Corpsman, MARFOR Medical, makes Lance Cpl. Phillip Powell, Bravo Company, 7th Communication Battalion, follow his finger during an eye exam May 23 at the Battalion Aid Station on Camp Samaesan, Thailand during exercise Cobra Gold ‘04. The BAS was an integral part of maintaining mission readiness during Cobra Gold ‘04. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Rose A. Muth

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/1CEF16AB6B98D4F885256EAB00496955?opendocument


Ellie