Throwback Thursday: Troops Train for Mass-Casualty Scenarios Near Mosul

Editor’s Note: This featured photo essay, first published in 2017, offers a rare glimpse into the rigorous mass-casualty training exercises conducted by US and Allied forces near Mosul, Iraq. The simulation of a VBIED attack and its aftermath underscored the critical importance of preparedness for the soldiers deployed in a high-threat combat zone.

For the men and women stationed there, this training wasn’t just an exercise—it was a lifeline, fine-tuning their ability to respond to emergencies swiftly and effectively.

Almost a decade later, and the importance of this types of training exercises still holds up today. The teamwork between security forces, medics, and the Navy’s Role II medical unit showcased in this exercise set a standard that continues to guide how we prepare for the unexpected. It’s a reminder of the dedication our troops bring to protecting each other and strengthening partnerships, no matter the challenges they face.

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The following is a photographic essay documenting a mass-casualty training exercise at a US military base in the vicinity of Mosul, Iraq. The US Navy’s Role II medical facility on the base took the lead in the exercise, which focused on a simulated vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) attack at an entry control point on a new section of the base. A Role II facility is a “forward resuscitative surgery facility” built to treat wounded servicemen and women in the combat zone, similar to an M.A.S.H. hospital from the old television show.

The notional VBIED detonated just outside of the gate and was followed by subsequent small-arms fire.  The medical unit was presented with 12 victims, with injuries of varying degrees of severity.

At the outset of the simulated attack, the US Army security force on base secured the entry control point, laying down suppressive fire, while Army medics in specialized armored vehicles removed the wounded from the scene, delivering them to the Navy’s Role II facility.

The Role II facility also undertakes exercises focused on joint partnership with French and Iraqi medical units, which augment the Role II; casualty collection point (CCP) manning, equipment, and operations; and evacuation routes and one-way travel along Frank Butler Blvd., ensuring expedited travel during mass-casualty events.

These types of training exercises are critical in fine-tuning the medical response to attacks on American and Allied forces’ personnel and facilities.