Kirkuk Airmen provide care following attack

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Williams
  • 506th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, Iraq (AFNEWS) --  Two Iraqi civilians were injured near Kirkuk, Iraq when they were caught in the crossfire between Iraqi, authorities and insurgents Feb. 1.

After being transported here by helicopter and receiving emergency medical treatment from members of the 506th Expeditionary Medical Squadron, they were flown to Balad Air Base, Iraq, to be reunited with their family members who were also injured in the clash.

One of the patients had superficial wounds that needed to be cleaned and bandaged and the other needed minor surgery to clean shrapnel wounds to his shoulder, said Col. (Dr.) August Pasquale, the 506th EMEDS commander.

The 506th EMEDS staff treats approximately 25 trauma patients every month.

All patients are triaged equally based on their injuries, whether military members, Iraqi civilians or insurgents, Colonel Pasquale said. He added when medical personnel are needed, everyone responds -- Army medics, the fire department and third country national escorts come out to help.

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