Training

IT has been pretty busy for us with casualties almost every day. Mostly the are Afghan security forces as they seem to be picking up much of the missions as the ISAF forces pull back and support them. We have been doing a lot of off time training: getting familiar with the equipment, doing trauma resucc training and for the most part it appears to be paying off as we have done very well when the actual casualties do come in.  Pic is of a am training session: basically a competition to see who can set up the Belmont fastest.

Rainy Season

Seems like the rain has started here. Had one day of rain on and off. Temp is also dropping at night to low 40s.  I think it is going to get cold here. Pics are (1) View of FOB after rain from atop our CONEX boxes. (2) Clear shot (kind of rare) of mountain in distance after the rain.

A Role 2E

As stated before Lagman FST is different from a Marine Role 2.  One of the biggest differences is we have 100+ units of blood products on hand at all times and are able to get restocked from KAF very quickly. We even have 3-5 six pack of plts on hand (no cryo though). This pretty much allows us to do a full resuscitation. Had a high double amp plus upper ext injuries recently and we were able to fully resuscitate with close to 1:1:1. Pic shows our Blood Bank Refrig with roughly 50 units prbcs and 50 units FFP.

Zabul Provience and Qalat

Our Trauma FST is located in FOB Lagman which is located in Zabul Province and is right outside the capitol of the Province: Qalat.  The picture show "The Castle" a top the hill located just outside the town (which is to the right of the picture). This structure reportedly dates back to Alexander the Great. Hummm...kind of give you a perspective on 1) the nature of what we consider old and 2) the history of the region.

The "New" Lagman FST Crew

We have pretty much setteled in and have already taken care of a bunch of casulties.  This is the first "Offical" pic of our new group which includes two Army enlisted and two AirForce enlisted. A true multi force unit!

FST Lagman: A Role 2E Facility

Will describe just a little on how the FST is set up.  It is a ROLE 2E facility which I have found out is much different than the Role 2s in RC(SW).  This is a pretty robust facility with a lot of capability. 4 bed trauma bay, 3 bed ICU/Recover, and a two bed OR.  As you can see there is A LOT of equipment and stock.  We have more Staples (GIA, TAs) than we did at Bastion.  Go figure.  Pics show trauma bay, ICU, and OR.

 

Our New Home: FOB Lagman

We did finally make it to our final destination = our new home: FOB Lagman and the FST which resides there also know at The Miranda Trauma Center.  There is a lot of history here and as I get to know that some I will try and relate it.  The day our replaced group was heading out (our first day) we got our first casualty and had a second early this morning so it is still busy somewhat.  It is as comfortable as place as it could be out here, an Army base with almost a small town feel.  Pics are of the front of the FST and of both groups outgoing and incoming together. You have to love whats on the "sign"..."Bringing a Knife to a Gun Fight"!!