Medical Training with the Iraqi Army

Sgt. Michael Tuttle

In their ongoing efforts to help build a stable medical supply system for an Iraqi Army medical clinic, 25th Infantry Division Soldiers met with their counterparts Oct. 10 to improve their current supply chain.

Staff Sgt. Lashonda Blair and an Iraqi soldier sort through a new shipment of medical supplies at an Iraqi Army medical clinic outside of Kirkuk. Blair and other Soldiers from C Company, 3rd Brigade Support Battalion, 25th Infantry Division are working with Iraqi doctors and soldiers to develop a self-sustaining supply system.

The goal is for the medical clinic at K-1, an Iraqi Army post outside of Kirkuk, to develop a self-sustaining supply chain, said Capt. Charles Douglas, C. Company commander, 325th Brigade Support Battalion.

"Our primary focus is that they be able to request medical equipment and supplies on their own in the absence of Coalition Forces being here," Douglas said.

Developing a formal supply system with the Iraqi health ministry is another step toward Iraqi leadership maintaining all aspects of their health-care system on their own.

"The Iraqi doctors are very capable of providing proper medical care. Being able to order what they need and get it in a timely manner will enable them to provide that care day to day," Douglas said.

Division Soldiers also provide regular medical training to Iraqi soldiers, Douglas said. Every week, a medic conducts combat life saver training for the Iraqi Army, a course qualifying soldiers to act as first responders to casualties on the battlefield, enabling them to train new recruits.

judythpiazza@gmail.com

   _   _