United States Africa Command

MEDIA ROOMUnassigned

By Cpl. Timothy Norris, Marine Corps Forces Africa Mar 21, 2013

Sergeant Balec Nelson, a Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa 13 radio operator from Kailua, Hawaii, and Lieutenant Commander Jonathan McComb, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, treat a simulated bullet wound during the final exam of the Tactical Combat Casualty Care course, March 14, 2013. The TCCC course teaches basic first-responder skills and helps service members prioritize casualty care in combat situations to maximize safety and effective care. Special-Purpose MAGTF Africa strengthens US Marine Corps Forces Africa and US Africa Command's ability to assist partner nations in addressing their security challenges. The approximately 150 Marines and sailors conduct security force assistance, military-to-military engagements and are trained to provide support to crisis response. (Photo by Corporal Timothy Norris)

4 photos: Marines, Sailors Complete Casualty Care Course

Photo 1 of 4: Sergeant Balec Nelson, a Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa 13 radio operator from Kailua, Hawaii, and Lieutenant Commander Jonathan McComb, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, treat a simulated bullet wound during the final exam of the Tactical Combat Casualty Care course, March 14, 2013. The TCCC course teaches basic first-responder skills and helps service members prioritize casualty care in combat situations to maximize safety and effective care. Special-Purpose MAGTF Africa strengthens US Marine Corps Forces Africa and US Africa Command's ability to assist partner nations in addressing their security challenges. The approximately 150 Marines and sailors conduct security force assistance, military-to-military engagements and are trained to provide support to crisis response. (Photo by Corporal Timothy Norris) Download full-resolution version

Petty Officer 1st Class Eric Ancheta, a Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa 13 corpsman, demonstrates intravenous access during the Tactical Combat Casualty Care course March 12, 2013. The TCCC course teaches basic first-responder skills and helps service members prioritize casualty care in combat situations to maximize safety and effective care. Special-Purpose MAGTF Africa strengthens US Marine Corps Forces Africa and US Africa Command's ability to assist partner nations in addressing their security challenges. The approximately 150 Marines and sailors conduct security force assistance, military-to-military engagements and are trained to provide support to crisis response. (Photo by Corporal Timothy Norris)

4 photos: Marines, Sailors Complete Casualty Care Course

Photo 2 of 4: Petty Officer 1st Class Eric Ancheta, a Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa 13 corpsman, demonstrates intravenous access during the Tactical Combat Casualty Care course March 12, 2013. The TCCC course teaches basic first-responder skills and helps service members prioritize casualty care in combat situations to maximize safety and effective care. Special-Purpose MAGTF Africa strengthens US Marine Corps Forces Africa and US Africa Command's ability to assist partner nations in addressing their security challenges. The approximately 150 Marines and sailors conduct security force assistance, military-to-military engagements and are trained to provide support to crisis response. (Photo by Corporal Timothy Norris) Download full-resolution version

4 photos: Marines, Sailors Complete Casualty Care Course

Photo 3 of 4: Sergeant Balec Nelson, a Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa 13 radio operator from Kailua, Hawaii, and Lieutenant Commander Jonathan McComb, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, drag a simulated casualty to safety during the final exam of the Tactical Combat Casualty Care course here, March 14, 2013. The TCCC course teaches basic first-responder skills and helps service members prioritize casualty care in combat situations to maximize safety and effective care. Special-Purpose MAGTF Africa strengthens US Marine Corps Forces Africa and US Africa Command's ability to assist partner nations in addressing their security challenges. The approximately 150 Marines and sailors conduct security force assistance, military-to-military engagements and are trained to provide support to crisis response. (Photo by Corporal Timothy Norris) Download full-resolution version

Sergeant Brian Hutchinson, Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa 13 motor transportation chief, provides security during the final exam of the Tactical Combat Casualty Care course here, March 14, 2013. The TCCC course teaches basic first-responder skills and helps service members prioritize casualty care in combat situations to maximize safety and effective care. Special-Purpose MAGTF Africa strengthens US Marine Corps Forces Africa and US Africa Command's ability to assist partner nations in addressing their security challenges. The approximately 150 Marines and sailors conduct security force assistance, military-to-military engagements and are trained to provide support to crisis response. (Photo by Corporal Timothy Norris)

4 photos: Marines, Sailors Complete Casualty Care Course

Photo 4 of 4: Sergeant Brian Hutchinson, Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa 13 motor transportation chief, provides security during the final exam of the Tactical Combat Casualty Care course here, March 14, 2013. The TCCC course teaches basic first-responder skills and helps service members prioritize casualty care in combat situations to maximize safety and effective care. Special-Purpose MAGTF Africa strengthens US Marine Corps Forces Africa and US Africa Command's ability to assist partner nations in addressing their security challenges. The approximately 150 Marines and sailors conduct security force assistance, military-to-military engagements and are trained to provide support to crisis response. (Photo by Corporal Timothy Norris) Download full-resolution version

Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa 13 completed the Tactical Combat Casualty Care course here, March 14, 2013.

The Marines completed the week-long course in preparation for military-to-military engagements with African partners.

“It’s used primarily as a training tool and guideline when we do first-responder care in a combat environment,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Eric Ancheta, a SP-MAGTF Africa 13 corpsman and instructor for the course.

The TCCC program became part of the Defense Health Board in 2001 to improve the principles of good trauma care in combat situations. The guidelines are updated every four years.

“The last time I attended a TCCC course was two years ago, so a refresher was due,” said Sgt. Brian Hutchinson, SP-MAGTF Africa 13 motor transportation chief from Eureka, Calif. “It’s good to learn what is current and recommended now, as opposed to two years ago.”

The three main goals of TCCC are treating the casualty, preventing further injuries and accomplishing the mission. The course teaches how to perform basic lifesaving skills, but also when to use those skills. Three phases of care are identified to help prioritize what care to give and how to maximize safety.

Phase one, care under fire, is when service members are under fire in an open area without cover.

“The first intervention that we teach in care under fire is not medical at all: shoot back or suppress the enemy,” said Ancheta, a Whittier, Calif., native. “By doing that you are preventing further harm to the casualty.”

Tactical field care, phase two, is when airway management, minor bleeding, intravenous access, treatment for shock and other care are possible and safe.

Phase three, tactical evacuation care, is where the same injuries are treated as tactical field care but in preparation to be evacuated to a medical center.

“Everything we do is about muscle memory,” Ancheta said. “Training to perform casualty care this way helps you to focus on the mission at hand, so you’re still in a tactical mindset.”

At the end of the training is a final exam where the process and techniques are tested in a simulated combat environment.

After Hutchinson’s simulated casualties were properly treated and evacuated, he became TCCC certified.

“I feel more comfortable with myself having been through the course as a refresher,” said Hutchinson. “I want to be able to help in a combat situation, so I can be sure that my brother or sister makes it back home.”

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