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Security forces get life-saving training in Afghanistan

  • Published
  • By Maj. David Kurle
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  Security forces Airmen here train constantly for missions beyond the scope of their traditional air-base-ground-defense role and, thanks to the U.S. Army, they now have training that may save someone’s life.

Members of the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron completed a 40-hour combat life-saving course June 12-15 that increases the chances someone injured in the line of duty will live long enough to get aid from a medical professional.

“I’ve had first aid and CPR training, but never anything as detailed as this,” said Tech. Sgt. Robert Taverna, an Air Force reservist deployed here from McGuire Air Force Base, N.J. “A lot of times you don’t know how much you’ve actually retained or how much you’ve learned until you’re put in that situation.”

Sergeant Taverna and his fellow Airmen learned basic skills needed to stabilize patients, including intravenous infusions, chest decompressions using a needle, relaying instructions for a medical evacuation, establishing and maintaining an airway, and stopping bleeding.

“It’s a three-day course, then on the fourth day we have combat training so these guys can put together everything we’ve taught them,” said Staff Sgt. Edres Rhone, an Army combat medic from the 14th Combat Support Hospital here.

The combat training consisted of security forces Airmen and fellow-students from the U.S. Navy clearing buildings in a mock Afghan village here, fighting enemy forces then treating one of their own for simulated combat injuries.

“There’s nothing like coming out here and actually training and beefing up your proficiency levels,” said Tech. Sgt. Edward Nin, NCO in charge of training for the 455th ESFS, deployed here from Beale AFB, Calif. “We need to learn these procedures to maximize the survival for that wounded individual.”

Sergeant Nin was the designated combat life saver for his squad of a dozen Airmen who stormed a building then simulated treating a “wounded” troop for gunshot wounds to the chest.

In the middle of the simulated fire fight he had to perform a chest decompression to relieve pressure on the “patient’s” lungs by inserting a needle into just the right place. After successfully demonstrating the emergency procedure it was up to the squad to transport the patient to a waiting ambulance after calling for medevac.

Sergeant Taverna is used to being the first person at the scene of an injury. In his civilian job he’s a New York City police officer.

“Here, it’s kind of like the same thing,” he said. “We have to be the ones to get someone to a medic or a hospital.”

In Operation Enduring Freedom, Airmen often find themselves working along side Soldiers and Sailors, so conducting a joint course in combat life saver training just made sense, according to Sergeant Nin.

“We’re actually fighting together, so why not train together,” he said. “Right now, we’re looking for synergy between the different branches of the services.”

“I think it was better getting this training from the Army because they’re the ones that go out and do this for real,” said Sergeant Taverna, who’s from Air Force Reserve Command’s 514th SFS at McGuire AFB.

For Sergeant Rhone, training Airmen and Sailors how to save lives in combat makes it easier for him and his fellow combat medics to save the life of someone wounded in combat.

“With more combat life savers out there, we’re actually increasing the chances for the war fighters,” he said. “This training raises a patient’s chances of actually surviving being wounded in combat.” (AFRC News Service)