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Scott Airmen teach Iraqi Forces first aid methods

  • Published
  • By 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  A 375th Security Forces Squadron Airman deployed to Joint Base Balad, Iraq, recently helped create a new training plan for Iraqi guards.

Senior Airman Aaron Jennings, a unit trainer with the 532nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, helped train approximately 40 Iraqi Vehicle and Personnel Inspection guards in basic first aid procedures.

For many of the guards, this was their first exposure to such training, but they are often the first responders when civilians approach the gate seeking medical attention, making the training a necessary step toward Iraqi sustainment.

"They are often the first person civilians see when they come to the gate, so we thought why not try to teach these guys how to treat their own people," explained Airman Jennings. "If one of their guys got hurt, they wouldn't be able to help each other."

As many of the medics assigned to the unit were already over tasked, Airman Jennings' team decided to teach the class.

Master Sgt. William Vernon, surgeon cell NCO in charge, said, "We developed the course and had it translated into Arabic, and made read-aheads for the interpreters. The class is a hybrid of the combat lifesaver course and standard first aid training."

Sergeant Vernon is deployed from Air Mobility Command at Scott.

The team tailored the training to the types of injuries the guards see at the gates. These injuries commonly include burns, eye injuries and fractures.

The class was a combination of hands-on and lecture with the help of two interpreters. Students were broken into groups of about 20, with each group attending the class on different days. During class, the groups were further broken down into teams of two to practice the hands-on portion.

"These guys were really motivated," Sergeant Vernon said. "They were asking a lot of questions and caught on quickly."

He said he appreciated their willingness to learn, since the guards were there on their own time.

"I enjoyed the class. It was useful," said Raad Mohammed, a checkpoint supervisor at the North Entry Control Point on Balad. "We're not here to play around. We're here to learn something."

Airman Jennings said that part of that motivation to learn comes from the fact that the United States' presence in Iraq is ending soon.

"They know we're all leaving," he said. "In the end, they're going to have to take care of each other."

Plans are in the works to offer the class again in the future to train more of the guards. In the meantime, Iraqi checkpoint workers like Mohammed said he will ensure that those who have gone through the class teach others.

"The trainers were good, very, very good," he said. "I would love to thank them for what they did for us."

Information obtained from a 103rd Sustainment Command Public Affairs release