BALTIC SEA – American, Dutch, and Spanish Sailors and Marines conducted simultaneous medical drills between time zones and geographic boundaries aboard their vessels across the Baltic Region, during exercise Baltic Operations 2024 (BALTOPS 24), June 14, 2024.
The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21), the Royal Netherlands Navy Rotterdam class landing platform dock ship HNLMS Johan de Witt (L 801), the Spanish Navy aircraft carrier Juan Carlos I (L 61), and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC) conducted a simulated mass casualty event to exercise medical readiness, response and interoperability demonstrating coordination and cohesiveness across the joint and Allied forces.
The drill allowed the ships’ medical teams to practice the type of medical readiness critical for sustaining operations in theater and showcased their ability to provide a higher echelon of care to Sailors and Marines, regardless of nationality.
It began with several role players simulating injuries aboard the Johan de Witt and the New York. Once the medical teams on board determined a need for a higher echelon of care, the ships walked through the process of conducting medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) flights to Wasp and Juan Carlos I, respectively, although no aircraft were used to physically transfer patients from one ship to another.