Role Of Medicine In Supporting Special Forces Counter-insurgency Operations In Southern Afghanistan

Description

Role Of Medicine In Supporting Special Forces Counter-insurgency Operations In Southern Afghanistan
Keenan S 7(1). 48
Publication Type: Journal Article

Abstract:
The purpose of this article is to present the experiences of Task Force 31 during two rotations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom with the use of host nation (HN) medical care as a strategy to support our counter-insurgency plan in the Afghanistan theater. This policy, which consists of providing routine and basic preventive medical (sick call-type) HN care, is in direct contrast to the Rules of Eligibility, essentially only providing emergency care to local nationals. Our medical “rules of engagement” many times clash with the conventional methods of approaching medical care of local national patients, and this article seeks to explain why our strategy is valid in ourArea of Operations (AO).

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