AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar — Moving lifesaving blood products across the Middle East is no easy task, and the U.S. Central Command’s (USCENTCOM’s) Theater Joint Blood Program manages it all.
USCENTCOM’s area of responsibility (AOR) has two main hubs for storing blood products, including whole blood, red blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Each product has a separate shelf life, and the dynamic logistics for transporting these products call for innovation.
“The Joint Blood Program Office (JPBO) is a 24/7 operation accountable for 18,000 blood products per year, working with partners across all service components to ensure the AOR has the correct blood supply available for our U.S. and coalition Warfighters,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Ryan Comes, JBPO Director.