B*N*S*N1

Iraqi first responders first graduates of 'Thunderhorse' EMT course

Lt. Col. Joseph Holland, commander of 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, attached to 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry Division, presents an Iraqi Police officer a certificate of completion for graduating a four-week Emergency Medical Technician course during a graduation ceremony at Kirkuk Training Center, Iraq, Feb. 28.

Written by Spc. Kandi Huggins, 1st Advise and Assist Task Force Public Affairs, 1st Infantry Division, U.S. Division-North Thursday, March 03, 2011 08:54

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE WARRIOR, Iraq – “I’m proud to call every one of you my colleague,” said 1st Lt. Jordan King, platoon leader of the “Thunderhorse” medics assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, attached to 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry Division, from Fort Riley, Kan., acknowledging the achievements of 38 men in front of him.

“It’s been a pleasure working with you and I look forward to our strong partnership,” King continued at a graduation ceremony honoring members of Kirkuk province’s Iraqi Police, Emergency Response Unit and fire departments.

The graduation ceremony concluded the four-week training, the first Emergency Medical Technician course held at Kirkuk Training Center in Iraq, Feb. 28.
During the month-long course, U.S. troops mentored Iraqi police officers, first responders and fire fighters with the purpose of increasing Iraqi Security Forces’ medical proficiency when responding to emergencies.

The training centered on evacuations, tactical combat casualty care and emergency medicine, said King, a Hudson, Ohio native.

“This course was an improvement from the previous EMT training of the various emergency response units, because it was completely Iraqi-ran,” said King. “We used Iraqi supplies, conducted the training at their training center and the instruction came from the Iraqis.”

King said his primary responsibility was to advise the instructors, assist with planning and supervise training.

“We need this training in all the centers throughout the city, but for now I’m thankful we have proficient members of the ISF to promote this city’s safety and security,” he said.

During the ceremony, ISF students watched a video highlighting training during the four-week course, which was supervised by medics of 2nd Bn., 12th Cav. Regt., deployed as part of U.S. Division-North in support of Operation New Dawn....

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