New Al Asad Hospital Built to Save

By Cpl. Zachary Dyer
2nd Marine Aircraft Wing

.AL ASAD — When a service member is wounded in combat, his comrades quickly apply first aid and call for a medical evacuation; taking the first steps towards saving his life. When the helicopter arrives, the wounded man is loaded and transported to the hospital, where he is met at the landing pad by a team of medics and doctors who rush the service member into the hospital. At the hospital, the real lifesaving begins.

Thanks to the new level three hospital being built on Al Asad, wounded service members have a greater chance of receiving the lifesaving care they need faster.

The new 399th Combat Support Hospital, which is scheduled to open the first week of March, will replace the current level two-plus hospital here, according to Army Col. Joseph Blansfield, the deputy commander for nursing services for the 399th CSH.

(PHOTO: Army Sgt. Jessica Mckay, an operating room technician at the 399th Combat Support Hospital, sorts through medical instruments while making instrument sets for the operating room, Feb. 26. The new level three hospital will open the first week of March, allowing wounded service members to receive more advanced medical care in theater. Photo by Cpl. Zachary Dyer)

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