Written by By U.S. Army Sgt. Luther L. Boothe Jr.
Task Force Currahee Public Affairs
Paktika Province, Afghanistan — The Soldiers dressed the casualty’s wounds, strapped him to the litter and started moving toward the evacuation site. They ran, climbed and crawled while carrying the casualty to the medical evacuation helicopter. What had seemed an overwhelming task, now became the accomplishment of this group of soldiers and served as a motivator for those who would follow them.
U.S. Army 801st BSB combat medics developed the competition to test the ANA medics’ basic soldier skills, medical skills and physical endurance of the ANA after nearly nine months of training.
During the competition, participants went over weapons, communications, 9-line MEDEVAC messages, trauma lanes, litter obstacle course, loading casualties on a MEDEVAC helicopter and a road march, said U.S. Army Sgt. Jordan Nehlsen, a combat medic and trainer/ adviser with Company C, 801st BSB, 4th BCT, and native of White Water, WI.
Though some of the tasks were basic Soldier skills, the commander of 5th Kandak, 2nd Bde., 203rd Corps, said the training was needed and appreciated.
“Everybody knows our army is a newly established army and they really need training like this,” said ANA Col. Faiz Muhammad. “We have equipment that is new for us and our guys are not familiarized with it, so we really appreciate this kind of competition because it involves each skill that the combat medic needs and will help us a lot as we continue to train toward improving our future.”
More than 20 ANA medics competed in the event.
“They were so motivated,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Megan Anderson, a combat medic and treatment noncommissioned officer-in-charge with C Co., 801st BSB, 4th BCT, and native of San Antonio, who graded the ANA soldiers on their ability to disassemble and reassemble their M16-A2 rifles. “I am highly impressed — I was not expecting this level of participation or this level of skill.
“For example, the soldiers only needed to go through this training once, but most of them have been through like six times,” said Anderson about the ANA soldiers participation in the physically demanding litter carry lane, where they were required to carry a simulated casualty more than 250 meters through a series of obstacles. “That’s how motivated they are.”
ANA 1st Sgt. Saeed Muhammad Taher, the enlisted leader of the group of medics, said the training provided good experience.
“The experience we got from this training was awesome,” said Taher. “It will help us as we move forward to continue to save lives on the battlefield and reinforces the standard that has been set by the (U.S. Army) medics.
“We really needed this training and according to our medic graders, my men met the standard that was set and they did really well,” he said. “We plan on taking this experience and improving upon it and working to make ourselves better.”
The U.S. Army medics, who trained the ANA medics over the last several months, said they were proud of the effort put into the competition and the high standard set by the ANA medics.
U.S. Army Spc. Vondrell Phillips, a combat medic and ANA medic trainer with Co. C, 801st BSB, 4th BCT, and native of Chicago said, “Individually, they did a great job, but their teamwork is outstanding. For instance, even though this is a competition, on the ruck march they waited on each other so they could all finish together.”
With the competition complete, the ANA soldiers sat patiently, beaming with pride as the deputy corps commander for the ANA’s 203rd Corps, Brig. Gen. Mohammad Akbar addressed them.
“This is a happy and joyous time for us,” said Akbar. “I am grateful for Lt. Col (David) Preston (commander of the 801st BSB) and Col. Muhammad, who started this training because it is really needed within our army.
“These skills will allow you to serve the people around you for the rest of your life, far after you retire from the army,” said Akbar. “Represent your unit proudly as you tirelessly take the fight to the enemy,” he said. “Remember your training, understand your equipment and continue to learn from one another—you guys are trained to save lives on the battlefield.”
