RCAF Soldiers learn to be first responders during Angkor Sentinel 2015

By Staff Sgt. Christopher McCulloughMarch 17, 2015

RCAF Soldiers learn to be first responders during Angkor Sentinel 2015
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (left), work with U.S. Soldiers from the Idaho Army National Guard to move a simulated patient from a gurney to a stretcher in preparation for transport aboard a medical evacuation helicopter. The traini... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
RCAF Soldiers learn to be first responders during Angkor Sentinel 2015
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces move a simulated patient on a stretcher to a medical evacuation helicopter for transport. The training is part of a first responder course which is held at the Peacekeeping Operations Center in Kampong S... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
RCAF Soldiers learn to be first responders during Angkor Sentinel 2015
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (left), assist Spc. Miykala Fritz, a medic from the Idaho Army National Guard, in moving a simulated patient on a stretcher into a medical evacuation helicopter. The training is part of a first responder... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

KAMPONG SPEU PROVINCE, Cambodia - Members of the 18th Medical Command Group conducted a four-day, medical first responder exercise for soldiers from the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, March 11, 2015.

Working in two-man teams, the RCAF soldiers simulated responding to a humanitarian assistance/disaster relief scenario where patients with medical needs were waiting. Each patient was assessed and treated as necessary, with wounds ranging from minor injuries to more serious injuries such as internal bleeding and amputations.

The Royal Cambodian Air Force provided a Harbin Z-9 helicopter for the teams to simulate medically evacuating a patient in need of urgent care.

The course, which was held at the Peacekeeping Operations Center in Kampong Speu Province, Cambodia, taught the RCAF soldiers lifesaving skills and techniques by using a combination of classroom lessons, hands on practice and a proper response techniques they would need during HA/DR operations.

"Our big focus ... has been to take away the proprietary items the U.S. military uses, like combat tourniquets and emergency trauma bandages," said Sgt. 1st Class Aaron Bray, one of the medics with the IDARNG who conducted medical training throughout Exercise Angkor Sentinel 2015. "This time, specifically, we went down to the local market and we went through 10 or 15 different supply stores, and we made a list of everything they had, and then we built a medical kit (for the RCAF) based off what they could procure locally for a reasonable price."

The exercise provided clear and concise information on first-aid skills and techniques performed during non-combat situations. Should the need arise, and the skills taught in the exercise need to be applied, casualties will have a much greater chance of survival.

Second Lt. Dr. Chansophen Khuy, a medical officer with the RCAF, enjoyed the class most of all.

When asked what he learned, he responded: "I came here to Angkor Sentinel 2015 because of the medical training. They taught me how to take the patient in the helicopter, and then transfer the patient by helicopter to the hospital. I am very excited to learn about how to transport the patient properly and safely."

After completing the MFR, these RCAF soldiers will have the basic medical first responder skills and techniques necessary to take back to their respective commands throughout Cambodia when Exercise Angkor Sentinel 2015 concludes on March 20.