MEDDAC-J observes Japanese Ground Self Defense Force MASCAL exercise

By Capt. Jino I Caro (Pacific Regional Medical Command)February 19, 2015

JGSDF MASCAL responders prepare to receive patients
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Col. Thirsa Martinez inspects Chinook MEDEVAC aircraft
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Hospital employees treat patients and group them according to severity
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MEDDAC-J Commander presents Commander's Coin
4 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Thirsa Martinez (left), Commander, U.S. Army Medical Department Activity-Japan (MEDDAC-J) presents the Commander's Coin to Ltc. Hiroya Goto (right), Medical Operations Officer, Japanese Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF), for his role during a Ma... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
First repsonders transport patient into the triage area
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JGSDF Operations Center manages the exercise
6 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The Mass Casualty (MASCAL) exercise was controlled from the Self Defense Force Central Hospital's Operations Center, at Camp Mishuku, Tokyo, Japan, on Feb. 14, 2015. The operations center coordinated and ensured the process of receiving, triage, trea... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Inspection of the Chinook aircraft
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TOKYO -- Members of the U.S. Army Medical Department (AMEDD) in Japan were invited to observe a Japanese Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) Mass Casualty (MASCAL) exercise at Camp Mishuku, located here, on Feb. 14, 2015.

Camp Mishuku is home to the Self Defense Force Central Hospital, the main hospital for Japanese service members; analogous to the U.S. military's Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and the San Antonio Military Medical Center.

The Japanese Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) conducted the MASCAL exercise, bringing in over 100 simulated patients from a notional earthquake occurring at the heart of Tokyo.

Patients were brought in via CH-47 (Chinook) rotary wing aircraft, as well as by ground ambulance.

Members of the AMEDD were invited to observe the exercise as part of ongoing efforts to synchronize Japanese and American assets, in order to bolster humanitarian response capabilities in the event of a disaster.

AMEDD participants included: Col. Thirsa Martinez, Commander, U.S. Army Medical Department Activity-Japan (MEDDAC-J), Lt. Col. Claire Cornelius, Commander, Public Health Command District-Japan (PHCD-J), Capt. Robert Williams, Physical Therapist, MEDDAC-J , Spc. Brian Covington, Healthcare Specialist, MEDDAC-J , Spc. Michael Clark, Healthcare Specialist, MEDDAC-J , and Pfc. Mark Wilkinson, Healthcare Specialist, MEDDAC-J .

The participants received a brief on the capabilities of the hospital and the concept of support during a MASCAL response.

After the brief, the AMEDD team received a tour of the facilities and observed the arrival of patients, triage process, and treatment of injuries.

The AMEDD team also observed various ancillary roles within the Self Defense Force Central Hospital.

"This exercise was a great way to learn about the Japanese system," said Wilkinson.

"They have state-of-the-art equipment!" exclaimed Clark.

The exercise enabled the AMEDD team a better understanding of JGSDF capabilities.

"It is important for our Soldiers to know the capabilities of our partners," said Martinez, "a thorough analysis of their systems and processes will allow us (the AMEDD team) to augment and fill in the gaps in order to provide a more coordinated response which in turn will save more lives in the event of a disaster,"