FORT BRAGG, N.C. -- "The helicopter is five minutes out," said the physician assistant. The Paratroopers calmly moved to their workstations, put on their gloves and waited for further instruction.
Sweat covered the medics' faces but they remained calm, with no signs of fear or doubt in their eyes. The medics looked prepared for their challenge ahead.
Patients injured in combat receive immediate life-saving care, both on-site and en route to the triage hospital, where intensive care personnel and surgical teams provide a broad range of treatment.
As the patient came in, the lead medic rushed to the litter. "We have a 21 year old female with a gunshot wound to the chest," said the lead medic. "Let's get her vitals. Let's see if she is breathing," he said with a calm voice.
The team of young medics scrambled like orchestrated bees that spoke in their own jargon, moving quickly from one task to another, all with a common purpose.
The scenario was part of an exercise conducted by Paratroopers from Charlie Medical Company, 307th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. The medics worked as a team to achieve training objectives, build camaraderie, and share leadership responsibilities.
The exercise began at dawn, after Paratroopers with the 1BCT, 82ABN executed a joint forced entry exercise, as part of Operation Devil Thunder, July 24, 2015 on Fort Bragg.
Following the airborne operation, the Paratroopers built up combat power, fighting positions, set their Tactical Operation Center and built their Level 2 trauma center in order to prepare for follow-on operations.
"This exercise gave us much needed practice," said Spc. Cameron Coldiron, a medic with Charlie Med. Co., 307th BSB. "We don't get the opportunity to work in a field hospital, so it's good to get out and practice these skills in the field."
Capt. Chasitity F. DeRoo, a physician assistant with Charlie Med. Co., 307th BSB said the medics are the military version of civilian Emergency Medical Technicians [EMTs]. "They assess patients, provide immediate life-saving care, sort them by injury severity, and transport them," said DeRoo.
Coldiron said, the training was intensive and a great way to exercise communication between the new teams.
"The ability to work together as one unit is essential to be success in combat," said Coldiron.
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