The Medics of Erbil Airbase

ERBIL, Iraq - The day starts with your morning routine. You answer an email, maybe take a phone call or two. Hitting a break in the day, you head to lunch, and after finishing your meal you return to your desk. That’s when you hear it–an alarm deafening your senses to immediately seek shelter.

For a military medical staff, this routine is different. It is an alarm that sets into motion a chaotic set of events in which each member has a specific role and does their part. Those that have served know it as a drill; the U.S. military calls it training. Those that take part in a training event become so rehearsed they transform practice to a muscle memory. You can take the people you train with and become a strong and cohesive team, and the joint operational environment is no exception with one minor difference. Whether it’s a different organization or different nations, it is important this medical staff maintains their bond.

“They say you practice, or you play how you practice, right,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Robert Valdez, the sole X-ray tech assigned to Expeditionary Medical Unit (EMU) 14, currently deployed at Erbil Air Base, he continued, “we'll run through, keep doing it and after a while becomes repetition.” Our continued work with our partners helps build the capacity to defeat Daesh, ensuring our victory remains enduring. The commander of the German surgical team at Role II made sure his team integrated well. Commander Marcus Schuettle said, “Well it wasn't a real challenge. Most of my team was already here the last few years. We know the environment. We know the clinic. We know the role. We know what to do in cases of emergency.” Like an orchestra and their music chaos, each member plays their instrument to music they know and have played several times before.

Coalition forces are in Iraq in a non-combat role and remain committed to supporting our partner forces through our advice, assist and enable mission. Valdez said, “We get to work with the Marines, medics from different units of the Army, coalition forces – French, German, Swedish – whoever may be, they all come in and help us out.”

The men and women of EMU – 14 have solidified a strong and unwavering partnership. Always ready and able, but never wanting the call.