Operation Iraqi Freedom

 

Background

 Feb-Jul 03 (OIF 1) -- The US Army's 21st Combat Support Hospital (CSH) is an Active Component 248-bed hospital from Fort Hood, TX.  The 21st CSH includes over 500 soldiers with vehicles and equipment worth over $10 million.  The hospital deployed to Kuwait in March 03 and conducted convoy operations to hospital sites in Northern Iraq.  It operated two hospitals in Iraq, "Bear North" and "Bear South," for the first year of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  The hospital names were derived from the unit mascot; the Black Bear.  I was assigned as the Commander of the 21st Combat Support Hospital from Jun 01 to Jun 03.

 

Jan 04-Feb 05 (OIF 2) -- I returned to Baghdad as the Combined Joint Task Force-7 and later Multinational Corps - Iraq Surgeon.  Our staff section was responsible for planning and oversight of all coalition medical operations in Iraq.

COL Jim Bruckart, US Army

Kuwait to Baghdad (Mar 03)

 

Sand table rehearsal prior to departure from Kuwait  Prowler cruisin' the MSR (Main Supply Route)  Border crossing warning -- this isn't Hollywood!  Hospital trucks crossing the berm into Iraq  Next stop -- Baghdad!

Young Iraqi child greeting the hospital convoy  HUMWV loaded for convoy into Iraq  Convoy across the desert  Young Iraqis greeting the hospital convoy

Baghdad Area (Spring/Summer 03)

 

Bombed hangers at Baghdad Int Airport  Baghdad Skyline  Gulf War Memorial in Baghdad  Palm Sunday Church service in an assembly area outside Baghdad  "Hobo Village" awaiting orders to move North to set-up the hospitals  Bombed tank in Baghdad

Setting-up "Bear North" and "Bear South" Hospitals (Spring 03)

 

Refueling on the move, North of Baghdad  Clearing hospital site  Setting-up TEMPER tents  Hospital security provided by an M-2 Bradley from 4th Inf Div  "Bear North" hospital in Northern Iraq

 

"Bear South" hospital and life support area in Iraq  "Bear South" hospital in Iraq  MASCAL Exercise  MASCAL Exercise

Baghdad / OIF 2 (2004/05)

 

Al Faw Palace near Baghdad Airport  USO Shows were a great show of support and entertainment.  Christmas with the MNCI Surgeon staff section  We take security seriously! 

Miscellaneous

MEDEVAC Blackhawk over Central Iraq  Radar tower in Northern Iraq  Using a forklift to move a tent -- don't try this at home!  Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) -- mainly RPG rounds and missiles 

 Haircut  Got the T-Shirt!    New military assignment program for Iraq!  Keep the oil flowing!


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