National Guard medical company trains for deployment in July

Sgt. Jess Myers and Pvt. Amanda Thaler, medics with the South Dakota Army National Guard’s 730th Area Support Medical Company of Vermillion, maintain the airway of their patient as other members of their team continue to care for the patients other injuries, during a training scenario Feb. 4, 2012, at the Vermillion National Guard armory. The training helped to validate the Soldier’s medical treatment skills on manikins for the unit’s upcoming deployment in July. (SDNG photo by Sgt. Jerad Eslickcoats) (RELEASED)

Every drill for the 730th Area Support Medical Company is providing vital training as they prepare for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan in July.

The Vermillion-based medical company, comprised of combat medics, lab technicians, radiologists, dental technicians, mental health technicians, medical doctors, nurses, physician's assistants and maintenance and support staff, are validating skills needed to complete a successful mission overseas.

The 730th is capable of providing Echelon I (basic emergency medical services) and Echelon II (emergent or inpatient/outpatient care designed to return service members back to duty or evacuate them on to definitive care as quickly as possible) health care support.

The unit's mission will not only include providing medical treatment to troops, but should the need arise; they will need to be prepared to administer health care to the Afghan people. To prepare them for this, the Soldiers are completing multiple training events on local customs and cultures, as well as commonly suffered injuries.

Non-medical personnel within the unit are completing the combat life saver course to validate skills in basic medical interventions.

The 730th's last deployment was Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003-04.