Cambodia MEDEX 13-1 concludes

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia -- Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and U.S. Marine Corps medical personnel concluded Cambodia Medical Exercise 13-1 Jan. 31 with a ceremony at Preah Ket Melea Hospital in Phnom Penh highlighting the lessons learned and mutual benefits for both militaries during the exercise.

RCAF medical personnel and the U.S. medical personnel with 3rd Medical Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, took part in the exercise to share expertise and ideas to further develop both militaries’ medical capabilities. The Cambodia and U.S. armed forces have conducted medical exercises together since 2007.

Participants were presented with certificates of completion for taking part in Cambodia MEDEX 13-1, which included subject-matter expert exchanges, emergency and operation room observations, medical record-keeping seminars and a cultural exchange visit.

During the exercise, RCAF and U.S. personnel worked side-by-side to develop a better understanding of how the other’s service works.

“Every time I come here, I learn something new about this facility and the how the Cambodian military provides health care,” said Lt. j.g. Kevin Reid, a health care administrator with the battalion on his third visit to Cambodia.

Cambodian military personnel agreed that the exercise was beneficial to both countries, according to Royal Cambodian Army Brig. Gen. Dayuth Keo, the deputy director of the hospital.

“This training provides knowledge and experience to our armed forces,” said Keo. “The training is short, but we gain a lot and it is very important.”

The exercise provided an opportunity for the U.S. medical personnel to enhance their knowledge while exchanging expertise and experiences.

“I relish any opportunity I have to teach and learn with another country’s medical personnel,” said Lt. Cmdr. Lawrence Decker, the officer in charge for the exercise and subject-matter expert in emergency medicine with the battalion. It is good to discuss medical issues with other country’s personnel to determine what we can learn from one another and continue developing better treatment for our patients.”

The exercise was effective, valuable and informative to all of the participants, according to Keo, who thanked the U.S. medical personnel for all their hard work throughout the exercise during the closing ceremony.

“We would like to spread our (gratitude) to all instructors for providing and sharing their medical knowledge and experience,” said Keo. “We look forward to the next time we can work together.”