U.S. Army combat medics from Task Force Paxton, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Pennsylvania National Guard joined Air Force Pararescue from the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, Navy Corpsman from 2nd Air Control Squadron, and French Security Forces with Military Working Dogs to conduct Canine Tactical Combat Casualty Care Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Mar. 26, 2024.
The purpose of the training is to ensure interoperability with key U.S. and foreign partner assets to conduct medical care on the MWDs and to expedite patient transfers to and from aircraft in the event lifesaving measures and medical evacuation are needed.
“It was a great learning experience, I enjoyed the opportunity to learn how to properly treat and take care of our four legged brothers in case of an emergency.” said Cpl. Yaa Adom, a combat medic Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 112th IN Regiment, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Task Force Paxton, Pennsylvania National Guard.
Military working dogs are a common asset used in military security forces. Task Force Paxton medics rotated through three medical stations including how to perform an ultrasound on a canine patient, how to splint broken limbs, stop massive hemorrhaging, and how to insert a chest tube.
Cpl. Adom worked hand in hand with U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Kayla Udizinski of the Fleet Marine Force to insert a chest tube into a medical training mannequin modeled after a dog with severe injuries.
“It was pretty cool being able to work with other branches to blend and share knowledge.” Adom said when asked about working with members of other services and foreign allies.
After the medical portion of training was complete the students moved out on the flight line to a waiting CV-22 Osprey. French Security Forces demonstrated how to hook the CV-22’s hoist to the dog’s harness and lift the canines into the aircraft.
For most Soldiers this was the first time working with different branches of service, foreign allies, and Military Working Dogs.
At the completion of the course Sgt. Payton Royer, Apache, 2nd Squadron, 104th Cavalry Regiment, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Task Force Paxton, Pennsylvania National Guard stated it was a “privilege to work with the other branches and our allies” and feels confident that he and his “medical section can treat and save our canine counterparts” whenever and wherever the mission calls.
