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MARNHEIM, Germany — Paratroopers from the 21st Theater Sustainment Command’s 5th Quartermaster Detachment shared the skies with their fellow airborne brethren of the 67th Forward Surgical Team during an airborne training exercise Nov. 17 at the Marnheim drop zone here.
The 67th FST is one of only five airborne surgical teams in the Army and is the only operational forward surgical team in Europe.
Combat medics from the 67th FST conducted combat lifesaver training two weeks earlier to certify the 5th QM Det. Soldiers on how to assess and treat the injuries they are likely to encounter on the battlefield.
Preparations for the jump proved to be a challenge for this group as they had to figure a way to rig up all the medical supplies for the 67th FST.
“It gave us a bit of a problem because of the odd shape and weight of the equipment. We went and found the equipment we needed. This included
plywood and certain tie downs to make this mission happen,” said Sgt. Angel Cotte, a jumpmaster with the 5th QM Det.
The poor weather conditions did not stop the Soldiers as they conducted a low altitude static line airborne operation and deployed medical equipment with heavy drop parachutes from the back of an Air Force C-130J Hercules cargo aircraft.
Shortly after landing on the muddy drop zone, the 5th QM Det. Soldiers were divided into two groups. One group of Soldiers simulated injuries such as concussions and different types of fractures that required immediate attention.
The other group of Soldiers, all combat lifesavers, teamed up to provide first aid response and move the simulated casualties to the 67th FST’s newly assembled mobile trauma unit.
The mobile trauma unit was set up on the drop zone and was operational within 90 minutes of the airborne operation.
“We sometimes actually have people get hurt on jumps and most of us in the 5th QM Det. are (combat lifesaver) certified. We are able to help each other out,” said Spc. Celis Cruz, a rigger with the 5th QM Det.
Soldiers of the 5th QM Det. and the 67th FST felt a true sense of accomplishment and teamwork upon completion of the exercise.
“It is a confidence builder, and we could not have asked for a better result,” said Lt. Col. Patrick McAndrew, commander of the 67th FST, about the overall exercise.
