JOINT MEDICAL TEAM WORK TOGETHER ON GUATEMALAN HUMANITARIAN MISSION.

Story Number: NNS070215-14
Release Date: 2/15/2007 3:19:00 PM
Source:  www.navy.mil, the official website of the United States Navy
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Roosevelt J. Ulloavaldivieso, HSOTS Command Information Bureau

PUERTO QUETZAL, Guatemala (NNS) – Sailors and Soldiers in the medical field participated in this year’s Humanitarian Support over the Shore (HSOTS), from Feb. 10 through 14, further integrating their skills to improve health care response in a joint exercise environment.

The joint medical team of 23 Navy and Army personnel provided medical support for more than 1,300 active and Reserve Navy, Army, Air Force and National Guard service members.

According to Cmdr. Steven Banks, HSOTS surgeon, the integration of the medical team was a way to exchange knowledge as well as equipment, and allowed for improvement of their medical specialties for future operations.

“We are becoming a joint force in all operations,” said Banks. “If you look at the Afghanistan and Iraq areas, we have joint commands there and we have to be able to work together.”

Although the Navy and Army have different medical training and equipment, HSOTS gave them a chance to train together in various areas such as mass casualty drills and sea-to-shore emergency personnel transport.

“Integration definitely improves our medical abilities with the Army being better trained for field exercises and the Navy being more clinically experienced,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (SW/AW) William McClure, clinical specialist from Fleet Surgical Team (FST) 1. “It makes us stronger in the field, improves our clinical skills and creates a stronger medical team.”

The integrated medical team plays a big role during HSOTS, not only for camp support, but for humanitarian assistance as well. During the humanitarian part of HSOTS, the medical team provided humanitarian services to local villages as part of HSOTS’ Project Handclasp.

“Our medical capabilities [assisted] local clinics with both medical and dental support, allowing for more patients to be seen,” said Banks. “Working here is a great opportunity. Being able to supply the humanitarian effort is a real bonus.”

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