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Members of the United States Air Force and Canadian Air Force exchanged whole blood for the first time between May 5 and 6, at Bakonykúti Training Area, Hungary, during Vigorous Warrior 24.
The inaugural transfer occurred following coordination between the two contingencies at NATO’s largest dedicated multinational medical exercise.
On May 5, the American contingency initiated a request for 10 units of Canadian whole blood. The following day, the Canadian contingency reciprocated, requesting 10 units of American whole blood.
“It’s showing that we are equal players at the table,” said Warrant Officer Jeff Scott, Canadian Forces Health Service Headquarters blood program technical advisor. “It opens up the availability to have Health Canada-approved blood, which is equivalent to FDA-approved blood, it allows us to work interoperably without any concern of any additional testing.”
Blood transfers between Canada and the United Kingdom take place regularly. Canadian Forces Health Services seeks to create a trilateral agreement incorporating the U.S., which formalizes a handshake agreement that occurred on a handshake basis in the past.
Canada has relied heavily on American blood during contingencies in the Middle East. Blood used during similar transfers in the future can save lives, on and off the battlefield, both American and Canadian.
“After coordination with our Canadian partners, being able to execute the transfer of whole blood was an excellent opportunity,” said Mr. Kristopher Felver, USAFE Surgeon General Readiness Office home station medical response program manager. “This represents the vital relationship between the U.S. and Canada and will ultimately save lives.
Whole blood transfers simplify transfusions for providers who can administer them during contingencies, natural disasters and regular medical operations.
“It’s everything in one bag, kept at one temperature, so it’s logistically much simpler than component therapy that we’re used to. And it’s going to save lives,” Scott said. “It will be able to push into the point of injury and transfuse much faster.”
With blood being unique to each individual who provides or receives it, this exchange symbolizes a commitment between allied services that is more than skin deep. It not only serves as a life-saving resource but a mission-essential one as well.
“Whole blood is significantly important, it’s human fuel,” Scott said. “You’re not going to deploy weapons without ammunition or vehicles without fuel, how can you deploy soldiers without blood?”
