Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel    
    
        Special Victims Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Georgians train 'Georgians' to save lives in combat By Sgt. 1st Class Roy Henry
                Georgia National Guard
 VAZIANI MILITARY BASE, Tbilisi, Georgia - In the world of the combat medic, the "golden hour" is the time that he has to triage, stabilize and get a wounded comrade off the battlefield and into the hands of medical staff that has the skills needed to save that casualty's life. "When you're the only medic available to treat a large number of wounded, you find yourself praying that your evaluation is quick, your hands are steady and that the helicopter you called for isn't delayed," said Georgia Army National Guard Sgt. Gerry Pollock. And that's where Soldiers trained as combat life savers come in, said the Savannah resident. Pollock and other medics from Company C, 148th Brigade Support Battalion are here with the 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry taking part in Exercise Immediate Response 2008 through Aug. 3. Immediate Response is an annual Joint Chiefs of Staff directed bilateral security cooperation exercise conducted between U.S. and coalition partners. This year, it is being conducted in the country of Georgia. Other participants include Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Armenia. The 121st and its commander, Maj. Matthew Smith, are using the time to hone their infantry skills for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan in 2009 with the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Smith and his Soldiers also are training the Georgian army's 4th Infantry Brigade for it's upcoming deployment to Iraq. Soldiers trained as combat lifesavers get the basics, such as dressing wounds, stopping bleeding and stabilizing fractures, Pollock said, but they're also trained to evaluate a casualty's condition, establish an airway using the proper tools and to start IVs. "With these skills, the combat lifesaver stabilizes those with less serious wounds, and allows me to spend more time with those who are more critical," he said. "It also gives me more information to feed the radio operator, who's sending us the MEDEVAC helicopter." Working through an interpreter, Pollock and his fellow medics are teaching these same skills to the Georgian Soldiers. It's a challenge, he said, one that makes the class go slower than normal, but doesn't change the fact that each one must know and demonstrate each skill, just as their Georgia Army Guard counterparts must do if they want to become certified combat lifesavers. Pvt. Daniel Williams, an infantryman with the 121st's Milledgeville-based Company D, agreed. "Working with the Georgians is a great experience, and it's given them a better understanding of what it means to survive on today's battlefield." "Besides," he added, "the life they save one day may be mine."
 SHARE
 PRINT
 
 Idaho National Guard Opens Child Care Center
 By Crystal Farris,
  After 80th D-Day Commemoration, Hokanson Looks to Future
 By Army Master Sgt. Jim Greenhill and Sgt. 1st Class Zach Sheely,
  Pennsylvania Guard, Lithuania Strengthen Partnership
 By Staff Sgt. Zoe Wockenfuss,
  More
 Idaho National Guard Opens Child Care Center Guard News • 10 hours ago
 After 80th D-Day Commemoration, Hokanson Looks to Future Guard News • 2 days ago
 106th Rescue Wing Conducts Comprehensive Rescue Training Guard News • 3 days ago
 Oregon Air Guard Security Forces Squadron Trains in Hawai'i Guard News • 3 days ago
 Alaska Air Guard Rescue Triad Conducts Water Rescue Training Guard News • 4 days ago
 2024 (180)  2023 (427)  2022 (526)  2021 (697)  2020 (936)  2019 (387)  2018 (323)  2017 (346)  2016 (245)  2015 (356)  2014 (399)  2013 (469)  2012 (556)  2011 (533)  2010 (1071)  2009 (357)  2008 (638)  2007 (295)  2006 (188)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil