Page 4 - NATO Supplement

t has been more than one year since Also based on HFM-224 recommen-
Ithe HFM-224 Expert Panel convened. da tions, NSHQ pushed forward build-
While much has happened in the in- ing the SOF Allied Centre for Medical
tervening time, if anything, the panel’s Education (ACME). This modern class-
findings have become more relevant room and simulation facility will serve
than ever. as home to all NATO SOF Medicine
Development Initiative (NSMDI) courses,
The Alliance is facing many new chal- Dan Irizarry, MD add ing three courses—the Advanced
lenges since April 2012. Strategic deci- LTC, MC, USA(A) Spe cial Operations Medical Leaders
sions to close combat operations in Medical Advisor, NSHQ Course (ASOMLC), the Special Opera-
tions Surgical Team De velopment Course
Af ghanistan and transition to a military advisory role un- (SOSTDC), and the Combat Medical Simulation Course
der Operation Resolute Support is changing the way na- (CMSC)—to the already established Special Operations
tions approach their contributions to the mission. We have Medical Leaders Course and Special Operations Medical En-
seen NATO respond to hot spots in Libya and Alliance gagement Course. All courses are open to SOF and general-
members respond to national interests in Mali. We have purpose force medical personnel, supporting NSMDI’s
seen financial hardships across the Alliance and significant stra tegic initiative to build national SOF medical expertise
defense spending cuts. These key issues and others have both in and outside SOF.
caused our senior political leadership, the North Atlantic
Council (NAC), to revisit NATO’ strategic focus. The Combat Medical Simulation Course deserves special men-
tion. This course is directly drawn from HFM-224 lessons,
At the 2012 Chicago Summit, the NAC launched the Con- helping students develop solid medical education techniques
nected Forces Initiative to maintain the bonds and readi- into which quality medical simulation is inserted. CMSC par-
ness that NATO forces have established through 11 years ticipants work with low- and high-fidelity medical simulators
of continuous combat operations through increased col- from multiple manufacturers, including Laerdal’s SIMMAN
laboration, sharing cost burdens, pooling capabilities, and 3G, CAE’s Caesar, Strategic Operations Cut Suit, and Trauma
reducing duplications. As you read through this proceed- FX’s Multiple Amputation Trainer, to develop simulation
ing, I believe you will find the panel’s recommendations are scenarios that enhance combat medical skills. Following the
firmly nested in CFI tenets of pooling and sharing while course, Alliance SOF graduates may coordinate simulator
addressing immediate national and Alliance concerns. use for home station training or bring their SOF medical
personnel to the ACME to use the full facilities, increasing
HFM-224 recommendations have already born fruit in the access to simulation technology not previously available.
Alliance. The Nordic Special Operations Combat Medic
Initiative, only a concept in April 2012, will start its first A goal of the SOF ACME is to serve the Alliance as a source
class this October. This 20-week program will set the high- for SOF medical expertise. To foster this, the SOF ACME is
est standards for SOF medic training on the European con- diligently working toward building industry and academic
tinent and go far in meeting SOF medical education needs partnerships that will create opportunities to demonstrate
for the nations of Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark. and receive feedback on emerging technology and ensure
The Nordic SOCM Initiative will build international rela- high academic standards. The coordinated linking of aca-
tionships within SOF, enhancing interoperability and facili- demia, industry, and SOF medical and other NATO medical
tating future mutual support options. The program authors leaders will position the SOF ACME to leverage this exten-
anticipate significant training cost reductions despite the sive network to the betterment of SOF and NATO medicine.
initial investments required to establish the program and a
better trained and sustained Nordic SOF medic as an end It is my sincere honor to have been given the opportunity to
result, directly translating into lives saved and improved work with this panel and to foster the development of this
mission success. NSHQ has been honored to participate publication. This publication is an important step in sharing
in this program’s development. I see it as a model for other knowledge and experience that can improve SOF medical
culturally similar nations to consider emulating. train ing, the most important dividend of which is saving lives.

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