U.S. medics conduct joint training in support of Artemis Strike exercise

CHANIA, Greece -- U.S. Soldiers conducted a mass casualty training exercise along with German, Greek and U.S. Navy medical personnel Nov. 2 at the NATO Missile Firing Installation in Chania, Greece. The training focused on providing Role One medical treatment to battlefield casualties and supporting Artemis Strike, a joint multinational air missile defense exercise.

Capt. Vince VanderMaarel, a U.S. Army Europe physician assistant, said the Role One medical training has provided soldiers with valuable skills.

"Role One support is a highly-mobile, forward-placed medical facility that allows us to provide medical care forward and in doing so we can be as close as possible to the point of injury," VanderMaarel said.

By emphasizing interoperability not only in their own formation, but also outside the Army with partners and allies, VanderMaarel and his medical team have taken advantage of their time at NAMFI.

"The biggest success so far is the opportunity to integrate and work with our partners and allies," VanderMaarel said. "We have the German Role One units just down the street and we'll be doing some training with them the next couple of days. We are also working with our Greek partners and it's been a great opportunity."

Spc. Spencer Dykes, medic with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, said his team's primary mission is to provide real-world medical support to the soldiers and airman participating in Artemis Strike, but the training has also helpful in building relationships with our partners and allies.

"Sometimes we run into challenges with language barriers or differences in how the United States Army approaches medicine versus some of our host nations," Dykes said. "Nevertheless, we always overcome those obstacles and haven't yet encountered anything we couldn't overcome."

For Hospital Corpsman 3 Hannah Davis, a sailor stationed at U.S. Naval Base Health Clinic in Souda Bay, Crete, it was her first time participating in a joint, multi-national exercise.

"It was great, Davis said. "I actually learned how to do a chest tube."

The similarities between how the Navy and Army operate made things easier for Davis, but the most challenging thing for her was prioritizing patients based on the severity of the injury.

Working primarily in a clinic does not often give Davis the opportunity to train on treating trauma injuries, which she said she has wanted to do since completing her initial medical training.

"I'd like to do it again," Davis said. "Working with the Army is really awesome. This is a great opportunity."