SPECIAL OPERATIONS MEDICAL SUPPORT TO THE LEBANON CIVILIAN EVACUATION OPERATION

1
SPECIAL OPERATIONS MEDICAL SUPPORT TO THELEBANON
CIVILIAN EVACUATION OPERATION

• USAFP 2008
• Maj Michael J. McBeth, MD

2
Joint Task Force Lebanon--the first 72 hours--

• 18 20 July 2006
• Significant Events
• 15,000 evacuees supported
• Largest Non-combatant evac since Korean War
• 4200 directly evaluated
• 70 directly treated

3
Air Force Special Operations

• ADVANTAGES
• Responsive
• Complete Package
• Small Footprint

• DISADVANTAGES
• Require Logistics Support
• Limited Resources
• Short term commitment

4
Pre-MissionThe beginning of a week in the life

• 14 Jul 06, 1800 - Initial Notification
• Possible support requirement
• 15 16 Jul 06 - Contingency Planning
• Contingency response
• Base Ops Support
• Evacuee support (NEO supplies)
• 16 Jul 06 - Deployment Order
• Depart the next day

5
Geographic Overview
Nicosia
CYPRUS
Paphos
Limassol
130 NM
Larnaka Seaport Airport Reception Elements
UK Sovereign Base Area
LEBANON
BEIRUT
6
Medical Personnel

• Larnaka Seaport
• 1 AFSOC flight surgeon
• 2 AFSOC Independent Duty Medical Technician
  Paramedics
• 1 Addl flight surgeon
• 1 US Embassy physician
• 1 US Embassy nurse

7
Medical Personnel (cont)

• Larnaka Airport
• 1 AFSOC flight surgeon
• 2 AFSOC Pararescue Specialist Paramedics
• 1 AFSOC Combat Controller (manpower)
• Beirut Port
• US Navy physician
• and medical corpsmen
• Transport Ships
• US Navy physicians
• and medical corpsmen

8
Medical Support 1st 72 Hrs

• 18 Jul 06 Arrive Cyprus, begin support
• Meetings w/ US Naval Command C2 node
• Meetings w/ host British military base officials
• Receive US Dept of State support tasking at ports
• Split ops at seaport and airport
• Med eval / tx of 400 evacuees

9
Medical Support 1st 72 Hrs (cont)

• 19 Jul 06 Continued evacuee support
• Meetings / coordination w US Embassy officials
• Planning / coordination for EMEDS arrival
• 1466 evacuees

10
Medical Support 1st 72 Hrs (cont)

• 20 Jul 06 Evacuee support
• EMEDS ADVON team arrives
• 1044 evacuees
• 21 Jul 06 Final evacuee support
• Evacuee direct support transitioned to EMEDS
  ADVON team
• Transition to base med support contingency
  response posture
• 800 evacuees

11
Categories of Patients Seen

• Pediatrics
• 42 of patients seen by EMEDS
• Asthma
• Anxiety
• Abdominal / GI complaints
• Ear complaints
• Upper respiratory infections
• Pregnancy
• Abdominal pain / cramping
• Fatigue
• More serious complaints seen later

12
Categories of Patients Seen (cont)

• General Medicine
• Hypertension
• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Asthma
• Anxiety
• Urinary tract infections
• Trauma
• Extremity fractures (recent)
• Vehicle accident (recent)

13
Lessons Learned

• Utilization of Joint Pub 3-07.5
• Joint Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for
  Noncombatant Evacuation Operations
• Invaluable resource for
• How its supposed to work
• What med complaints to expect
• Which medications are needed
• Public health / environmental issues
• Mortuary affairs concerns
• Personal hygiene concerns / supplies

14
Key Medical Skills

• Medical Providers / Practitioners
• Family Practice / General Practice
• Pediatrics
• Internal Medicine
• Psychiatry / Psychology
• Nursing / Med Technicians
• General
• Pediatrics

15
Important Medications

• Pediatric Formulations!
• Antihypertensives
• Antibiotics
• Insulin (glucometer)
• Anti-diarrheals
• Pain Relievers
• Eye and Ear Drops
• Cough and Cold Meds

16
Coordination/Coordination/Coordination--expect a
joint effort--

• Medical Resources
• Other militaries
• Host nation civilians
• Hospitals / blood supply
• Ambulances
• Pharmacy
• Other nations
• Non-governmental orgs.
• Local Government
• Public health
• Law enforcement
• Mortuary affairs issues

17
Other Possible Needs --specific to the culture!--

• Baby Formula / Food
• Diapers
• Personal Hygiene
• Feminine supplies
• Toothbrush / toothpaste
• Soap / shampoo
• Toilet paper
• Razors
• Sheets / towels / blankets
• Laundry detergent / wash bucket
• Med Team need not provide

18
Miscellaneous Lessons

• Communications Capabilities
• Transportation
• Distinctive Clothing or Emblem
• Uniform may not be allowed
• Public Health Education
• Sanitation / Hygiene
• Facilities
• Supplies
• Isolation Capabilities
• Communicable Disease Screening

19
QUESTIONS?