they're here!
We had been receiving assorted injured patients for some time, and when the Ground War began, it became a flood of wounded. Every sort of wound and injury, blast, burn, crush, gunshot, and simultaneous with US casualties, we began to receive many Iraqi POW's, with awful wounds and injuries.
They arrived by BlackHawk medic, sometimes 20 or more by CH47 Chinook, and by vehicle. Our litter teams had made up wheeled carts, and initial triage began literally as soon as the wounded were off-loaded from their transport. Many had had initial care at a forward medical unit, but severe wounds, especially burn patients, came directly by helicopter.
We had guards on the POW's. who received the same care as Allied wounded. But the Iraqi were a pathetic sight. Saddam had been in an awful war with Iran for a decade, and he had staffed veterans of that recent war in his front lines. Many were significantly disabled, with old battle wounds, missing limbs, old men, just "fodder" for the meat grinder. We never had any problems with the countless POW's we cared for. They seemed to be greatful to be still alive.
Our EVAC had six self-contained metal OR's, and as the wounded would be carried or sometimes walked into our ER, our staff would begin triage and care right alongside their carried litter. Some of the grievously wounded never even paused in our ER, but were carried straight into an OR, where our anesthesia MD's and nurse anesthetists were standing by. Some of our patients were on an OR table within several minutes of arrival. It was orderly chaos.
Here, our ER in full swing. The woman in the middle with glasses was our head nurse, and was later promoted to General. Standing next to her, back to us, a LTC nurse, whose husband was a three star General in NATO. More about that helpful relationship later. We were quick to become adept at Mass Casuality care.
When our hospital commander had arrived, he and I being friends back in KS, he knew I enjoyed photography, and told me that someday our EVAC would need a record of our mission, and told me I was free to shoot whatever pictures I wanted.
I shot a lot of Iraqi wounds, and other, but will not post any here. Some were just awfully wounded. The worst wounds were troops who where in an armored vehicle when it was blown up, sometimes Iraqi were in their vehicle for several days before being found. Kuwaiti civilians were also brought in. The Retreating Republican Guardsl committed atrocities on even women and children.
So, here is our ER at work.
Tomorrow is Memorial Day. For me, a time for me to reflect on my blessings, and remember comrades who who gave their lives for this Great Country.
All the best and stay safe... SF VET