Page 135 - Journal of Special Operations Medicine - Fall 2015

from the
NATO SOF Surgeon

edicine is a Special Operations Forces use in support of military assistance opera-
M(SOF) commander’s enabler. The Michael D. Henry, MD tions. We continue to conduct five different
activities of operationalizing the NATO COL MC, USA (A) courses, each provided twice a year, at the
Special Operations Headquarters (NSHQ) Allied Centre for Medical Education. Our
bring this concept into focus and medi- NATO Special Operations mobile medical training teams will conduct
cine’s relevance to light on a daily basis. Headquarters the Special Operations Medical Leadership
Medical Advisor/ Course in Bulgaria and Afghanistan later
In the wake of the Wales summit direction Command Surgeon this year. We will also continue the Battle
and implementation of the Readiness Ac- Field Medicine Coach and Mentor training,
tion Plan, NSHQ is seeking to define areas where adjustments developed by the former SOCEUR Surgeon, COL John Maza,
can be made to enhance options for SOF to provide greater in Ukraine this October. We are working closely with the SOF
utility to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), MEDAD and other special operations medical element lead-
Joint Forces Commanders, and the political–military objec- ers within Ukraine to assist them in building an SOF medical
tives of the Alliance. SOF medicine is in the forefront of pro- structure and capabilities.
viding options for the commanders. SOF medicine, along with
other option, will be discussed at the NATO Special Opera- As the command shifts focus from policy and doctrine toward
tions Forces Symposium, 9–10 September 2015. operations (delivering cogent, coherent strategic and opera-
tional effects for SACEUR and the Allied Joint Force Com-
This venue will bring together the Allied Joint SOF leader- manders) in support of the Readiness Action Plan, SOMB
ship as well as leaders in communications, aviation, logistics, will continue to find opportunities to export training and
training and exercises, and medicine to identify opportuni- advise, assist, coordinate, and synchronize efforts in support
ties for exploration by SOF to contribute toward confronting of the Alliance and partner nations in support of the com-
dynamic challenges facing the Alliance and NATO partners. mand’s initiatives. These efforts are only possible through the
We are looking to achieve strategic and operational effects for strong partnership and support from the University of College
NATO. Cork, in support of courses at the Allied Centre for Medi-
cal Education, and member partner nations willing and able
The medicine workshop will focus on aspects of extended care to participate as trainers and advisors as we work to support
and the role of Special Operations Surgical Teams (SOSTs) as operations in NATO Strategic Direction East, South, and the
a commander’s enabler. Presentations and discussions will fo- Eastern Partnered Nations. We continue to build, in partner-
cus on capability requirements of an SOST, prolonged field ship, medical capability and capacity within the Allied Joint
care, the administration of medications and blood products by SOF community in areas of medical training, the NATO Spe-
our medics, medic training, and understanding the variances cial Operations Combat Medic training initiatives, and SOST
in national medical training and authorities as they relate to development.
medically supporting operations in austere and remote areas
of operations. The symposium will also provide participants Unfortunately, this summer said goodbye to two more plank
the opportunity to engage with a wide range of strategic deci- owners of the SOMB, LTC Drew Leiendecker and MAJ Mark
sion makers, such as the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Walther. Their hard work and wise counsel will be missed by
COM USSOCOM, NATO Chairman of the Military Commit- us at NSHQ and the Allied Joint SOF medical network. We
tee, and COM Joint Forces Brunssum. We look forward to are pleased to welcome LTC Chris Richards as the incoming
everyone’s participation. Deputy Surgeon and Director, Medical Operations.

The Special Operations Medical Branch (SOMB) NSHQ con- The strength and relevance of the NSHQ Special Operations
tinues to support the Allied Joint Special Operations medical Medical Branch and the Allied Joint SOF medical community
community with courses at the Allied Centre for Medical Edu- are derived through our networking and collaboration. We
cation. The educational activities, the outreach, and network- look forward to continuing to support the SOF commanders’
ing within the Allied Joint Special Operations community and efforts and strengthening the medical Alliance in the coming
its partners provide the commander with a medical tool to months.

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