A New Slideshow - TQ Surgical at Work and Play

13th Flight

Had my 13th flight yesterday (Sunday), took a Marine injured in a firefight to Al Asad. Smooth flight, no problems. Flew in a CH-46 (see photo), and it was a day flight. Kind of a windy day, and there were these mini-tornados (I'm not sure what to call them) everywhere.

Sand Funnels/Dust Devils

As we flew over the desert, you could see these sand funnels, or mini-tornados, everywhere. They seemed about 20 yards wide, and 4-5 stories tall. They would just meander back and forth across the desert. There was always one or two within sight, usually more. I'm afraid the pictures are not very clear, click on the photo for a larger view.

At the Pistol Range

Here is LT Stuart H. with me at the pistol range. I have more junk on my flak vest because it is set up for flights, not because I enjoy the extra weight.
Later on yesterday we had 13 Marines come in after a dumptruck exploded outside the building they were in. None were seriously hurt, very lucky. After this period of downtime, it is good to see that we as a group can 'turn it on' and go from a walk to a sprint immediately. One of the Marines showed me a picture of the crater left behind by the Vehicle borne IED, amazing.

The Great Lakes Crew

Here is the complete crew at TQ from Great Lakes Naval Health Clinic. From left to right, back row: Capt(s) Kane, HM2 Nicholson, HM3 Ramirez, LT Giometti. Front row: Me, HN LaBondano, HM3 Smith. We have 3 other members deployed from Great Lakes in Iraq, all at other locations than here.

12th Flight

Had my 12th flight this morning, a Marine with injuries from and IED. Flight was smooth, rode in a CH-46, which was unusual since most night flights are done in the Blackhawks. Nice to have the extra room.
This was an interesting night (Saturday). Started late, with a TCN (third country national- not Iraqi or American) female who realized she was pregnant as the 1st of 2 children arrived. Regretfully, they were way too premature, and neither were able to survive. At the same time, 2 Marines that were injured by an IED arrived, one with severe (as severe as you can get) leg injuries, and the other with general shrapnel wounds. Both made it through surgery and will make it. Then another patient arrived (I'm going to be purposefully even more vague on this one), who received surgery and joined the 2 Marines and the mother in being flown out in multiple aircraft. Just like that, 3 nurse flights, and one really long night.
I wonder if we will look back as this night being the beginning of our summer surge in business?

Happy Birthday Sarah!!

I know better than to say how old...

More Pictures Available...

Please feel free to check out a blog (CLICK ME) being put together by one of our nurses here, LT Patrick Harrison. He has been sorting through all of our pictures, and organizing them by time taken. Starting with our training in Camp Lejeune up until now. It is still a work in progress, there are an unbelievable amount of pictures he is working through (with the amount of pictures we take, some might think we were more tourists than fighting a war...)

11th Flight

Finally had another flight! Total of 18 days since the last one.
I flew with a Marine with significant injuries, but relatively (relative to what!! - apparently relative to almost dead) stable. The flight was smooth, all issues encountered were easily dealt with. A general directive was passed on to me recently that discouraged being too descriptive about the injuries we talk about on the blogs, so I'll do my best to follow that. I haven't exactly been overly descriptive so far, but will try to generalize more...
It is truly a joy working with the Army flight crews, all but 2 of my flights have been with them in the Blackhawks. Last night's flight was with the Medic from my very first flight, and I am continually amazed by their skills and knowledge. When not carting a nurse around to manage our (relatively) stabilized Patients (usually post-operating room), these are the men and women that are flying to point of injury, into hostile areas, to pick up the patient and stabilize before they ever even get to us.
It is no secret that this last month+ has been slow, and it sounds like traditionally over the last couple years that has been true, but never this slow. For that we are thankful. We also realize that traditionally, the next couple months are much busier compared to the rest of the year. We will see how that goes...

The Best Wheelchair. Ever.

Photos by LT Patrick H.

Pics from the Air

I took this photo during my last trip to Baghdad. It is out of the open tail door of the CH-46 I am riding in, and it is of another 46 that made the trip with us.

Saddam and Me

Bradley Fighting Vehicle