Photos by Michelle Thum
Public Health Command Europe January 17, 2025
Radiological Advisory Medical Team – Europe, comprising of Soldiers from Public Health Command Europe and Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, participated in the Clean Care Exercise conducted at Bakony, Hungary, May 1–8, 2024. This was a NATO interoperability exercise that allowed allied and partner nations to practice both chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense and medical capabilities in a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense environment. During the exercise, Radiological Advisory Medical Team – Europe members provided management of acute radiation casualty training, support to Decontamination/CBRN units, conducted hazard analysis of simulated radiological events, and recommended risk mitigation measures. Courtesy photo
In 2024, Public Health Command Europe, Department of Laboratory Sciences, was the only laboratory in the DOD conducting EPA-approved testing in-house for PFAS in drinking water. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of man-made chemicals used in products like non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, firefighting foam, and food packaging. They are often called “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down easily in the environment or the human body. Testing for PFAS is mandated in all DOD-owned drinking water systems. Since they are so persistent, early detection and regulation are key to protecting public health.
More than 100 military veterinary personnel from 20 countries participated in the International Military Veterinary Symposium, hosted by U.S. Army Public Health Command Europe in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, May 6–10, 2024. The theme of the year’s symposium was “Combating Global Health Threats through Veterinary Services” and brought together military veterinarians from the U.S., NATO allies and partner nations to exchange and discuss best practices, share ideas, build interoperability and foster relationships.
U.S. Army Public Health Command Europe’s Entomological Science Program invited the Polish Armed Forces for a joint mosquito surveillance training at the PHCE Headquarters in Landstuhl, Feb. 12–15, 2024. Four Polish officers from the Epidemiological Response Centre attended the training which focused on tick and mosquito identification and covered mosquito biology and military history, medically important mosquitoes of Poland, trapping types and techniques and developing a vector disease response plan.
MEDREX is a program designed and overseen by the U.S. Southern European Task Force, Africa that allows medical personnel from the U.S. military and partner nations to exchange medical procedures and strengthen treatment capabilities. The exercise exposes participants to unique medical delivery methods and ultimately improves their capacity to assess and deliver care.
At the request of U.S. European Command, U.S. Army Public Health Command Europe Environmental Engineers attended the first Combined Drinking Water Summit for the U.S. Department of Defense with the Polish Ministry of Health and Ministry of National Defense from July 9–11, 2024. PHCE engineers trained participants on technical processes concerning drinking water treatment, spotlighting a production plant and garrison at Świętoszów, Poland, which will serve as a test case and will set the example for execution of future sampling events.
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