Current Military Operations Research Articles

Evaluation of POCT technique application in medical treatment of military operations and disasters

Point of care testing（POCT）is undergoing tremendous change in recent years driven by biotechnology and laboratory medicine.Attributed to its high performance, rapidity, convenience and instantaneity, POCT has been widely used in more and more fields.In this article, the categories, principles and applications of POCT in current military operations, disasters and emergency responses are elaborated.Furthermore, the future development trends of military and emergency responses POCT are discussed.（Chin J Lab Med,2012,35:1057-1061） Key words: Point-of-care systems; Military medicine; Fiest aid; Evaluation studies

Sleep Disturbance Implications for Modern Military Operations

As is evident from current military operations that are happening around the globe (e.g., Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea), today’s military is being called on in numerous new and innovative ways (e.g., Foster & Lindsay, 2011). One of the primary forces behind this change is the pervasiveness of enhanced information systems. In fact, the concept of networked warfare is the basis of operations and doctrine for the armed forces (Wesensten, Belenky, & Balkin, 2005). With respect to Admiral Cebrowski’s quote, it appears that this notion of information in warfare is going to continue to influence the way that we approach and conduct war for the foreseeable future. While this use of information and information systems have been used successfully in recent operations (Cammons, Tisserand, Williams, Seise, & Lindsay, 2006), it must always be considered with respect to the operational context. This context is made up of the military’s primary weapon system (the individual solider) and the features of the operational environment in which they are expected to perform. Within the context of current military operations, the individual combatant is experiencing demands never before seen by predecessors. While deployments and warfare are certainly not new to military personnel, expectations regarding the use and processing of information during these operations is at an unprecedented level. These changing expectations regarding information processing have virtually transformed the soldier into a ‘‘cognitive platform’’. While this platform is certainly the most capable the world has ever seen, there are factors which limit this platform’s warfighting capability. These include such factors as nutritional or caloric deficiencies, dehydration, psychological stressors, carrying excessive loads, and hypothermia (Lieberman et al., 2005; Meyerhoff et al., 2000; Wesensten et al., 2005). Another key factor is sleep. While sleep is a basic physiological need that is usually regulated by the individual, in a military environment conditions often dictate how much sleep is obtained (and the quality of that sleep), independent of the individual military member’s personal needs or desires. Somewhat absent, however, is a critical examination of the impact of sleep loss on this "new" cognitive platform in today’s military environment. While some research has been done to address pieces of this issue (Wesensten et al., 2005), there are still many gaps that remain. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to briefly examine what is known about the effects of sleep and predict the implications of restricted sleep and sleep loss in this informationally-enhanced

FIELD ARTILLERY IN JOINT FIRE SUPPORT

Joint fires are defined as fires produced during the employment of forces from two or more components in coordinated action to produce desired effects in the support of a common objective. When joint fires assist air, land, maritime, and SOF to move, manoeuvre, and control territory, populations, airspace, and key waters are called Joint Fire Support (JFS).According to the latest standardization agreements, the range of capabilities to influence enemy forces has been extended to the sphere of influence in order to achieve the desired effect, not only a physical one but also a psychological one. That way Joint Fire Support (JFS) and Effects is the coordinated and integrated employment of all weapon platforms delivering fires (including land, air, naval indirect fires) to achieve the required effects on ground targets to support land operations in the full spectrum of conflict. It encompasses the integration of indirect fires and effects in order to influence the adversary forces, installations or functions. Joint Fire Support Element (JFSE) could either encompass influence elements as, for example, PSYOPS, CIMIC, EW, or be incorporated in a wider cell dealing with overall influence activities.The necessity of conducting JFS more often occurs at the tactical level because of the complexity of contemporary operational environment (non-linear and non-continuous battlespace, dispersion of forces, high operations tempo, and short time of reaction). For this reason, JFS should be coordinated, synchronized and integrated in the framework of three vital components: surveillance and target acquisition (STA), command and control (C2), weapon (delivering) systems. Among them, Field Artillery Forces possess a relevant part of each of the abovementioned subsystems and their capabilities. The article presents selected solutions from different countries, experimented so far, and experiences from current military, peace and stabilization operations, indicating the plans and directions for further development of Joint Fire Support and Effect.

Hydrogeological support to United States military operations, 1917–2010

Abstract Over the past 100 years, hydrogeology has played a role in most military operations undertaken by the USA. The first significant application by US forces took place during World War I, on the Western Front. America's entry into World War II highlighted the need for military hydrogeologists once again, and a combination of civilian and uniformed hydrogeologists provided valuable support to the war effort, notably by terrain analysis. During the Cold War, the United States Geological Survey Military Geology Branch conducted military hydrogeological studies, and in 1985 the US Army Corps of Engineers created the Water Detection Response Team (WDRT) to provide hydrogeological expertise to military well-drilling units. During the Persian Gulf War of 1990–1991, groundwater was important for sustaining troops living in the northern Saudi Arabian desert. Operations in Bosnia and Kosovo later in that decade required the assistance of the WDRT in obtaining adequate groundwater supplies for base camps. Current military operations in Afghanistan rely on groundwater as a significant source for most US bases. In combination, uniformed and civilian geologists serving in a variety of roles to support American troops have located water supplies essential to the success of US military operations around the globe.

Adaptation and Testing of Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Military Spouses

The psychological impact of current military operations on service members deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan iswell established. A number of recent studies have also demonstrated high rates of mental health difficulties,especially depression and anxiety, in spouses of deployed service members. This paper describes the adaptation ofinterpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), an evidence-based treatment for depression, to target depression in militaryspouses. The principles of IPT are outlined, and the ways in which the structure and content of the treatment lendthemselves to the military context are described. Finally, a study currently underway to adapt and evaluate thetreatment is presented and aspects of the treatment are illustrated.

Human Performance Research in Support of Current Military Operations

Shoot, move, communicate, survive, and adapt are five of the most critical tasks that a Soldier will perform during combat. The extent to which Soldiers are successful at these tasks may ultimately determine not only their survivability, but also that of their unit. This panel, which is comprised of a mixture of human factors/ergonomics practitioners and researchers, discusses topic areas in which human performance issues play a critical role in current military operations. Topics include information overload in the visual channel, facial protection effects on shooting performance, video search techniques for widely defined targets, and the development of video training lanes for improvised explosive device detection. The underlying human performance issues and various approaches which have been taken to address them will be discussed. Understanding and predicting factors that influence human performance in these arenas is not only critical for the design of effective systems and programs of instruction, but also for overall mission effectiveness and Soldier survival. Panelists will discuss critical factors and insights that are generalizable across a wide range of products and industry sectors as well as those that warrant further investigation.

Catastrophizing and Pain in Military Personnel

Combat-related injuries have been well documented for centuries. More recently, injuries suffered by US service members in Iraq and Afghanistan have resulted in a high number of survivable conditions. Polytrauma care in this setting must take into account both the physical and psychological injuries suffered by returning wounded warriors. Catastrophizing may occur when previously healthy individuals are faced with impairment and disfigurement. This is compounded with repeated operative procedures. Early detection and treatment of catastrophizing contributes to improved care of the wounded warrior. This article describes our experiences at Walter Reed Army Medical Center with catastrophizing in US service members returning from the current military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Health outcomes among infants born to women deployed to United States military operations during pregnancy

Military professionals who deploy to combat operations may encounter hazards that could adversely affect reproductive health. Pregnant women are generally exempt from deployment to military operations; however, exposures to such environments may inadvertently occur. We investigated whether maternal deployment during pregnancy was associated with adverse health outcomes in infants. The United States Department of Defense Birth and Infant Health Registry identified infants born to military service women between 2002 and 2005, and defined their health outcomes at birth and in the first year of life. Multivariable modeling was applied to investigate preterm birth and birth defects among infants, based on maternal deployment experience during pregnancy. Among 63,056 infants born to military women from 2002 to 2005, 22,596 were born to women with deployment experience in support of the current military operations before, during, or after their pregnancy. These included 2941 infants born to women who appeared to have been deployed some time during their first trimester of pregnancy. Compared to infants born to women who deployed at other times, or never deployed, exposed infants were not more likely to be born preterm, diagnosed with a major birth defect, or diagnosed with a malignancy. In this exploratory analysis, infants born to women who inadvertently deployed to military operations during their pregnancy were not at increased risk of adverse birth or infant health outcomes. Future analyses should examine outcomes related to specific maternal exposures during deployment, and outcomes among the growing number of infants conceived after deployment.

Management of War-Related Burn Injuries

Thermal injury is a sad but common and obligatory component of armed conflicts. Although the frequency of noncombat burns has decreased, overall incidence of burns in current military operations has nearly doubled during the past few years. Burn injuries in the military environment do not need to be hostile in nature. Burns resulting from carelessness outnumber those resulting from hostile action. Unfortunately, civilians are becoming the major targets in modern-day conflicts; they account for more than 80% of those killed and wounded in present-day conflicts. The provision of military burn care mirrors the civilian standards; however, several aspects of treatment of war-related burn injuries are peculiar to the war situation itself and to the specific conditions of each armed conflict. Important aspects of management of burned military personnel include triage to ensure that available medical care resources are matched to the severity of burn injury and the number of burn casualties, initial management and resuscitation in the combat zone, and subsequent evacuation to higher echelons of medical care, each with increasing medical capabilities. Care of military victims is usually well structured and follows strict guidelines for first aid and evacuation to field hospitals by military personnel usually having had some form of training in first aid and resuscitation and for which necessary equipment and material for such interventions are more or less available. Options available for civilian injury intervention in wartime, however, are limited. Of all pre-hospital transport of civilian victims, 70% are done by lay public and 93% receive in the field, or during transport, some form of basic first aid administered by relatives, friends, or other first responders not trained for such interventions. Civilian casualties frequently represents 60% to 80% of all injured admitted to the level III facilities of overseas forces stationed throughout the host country. Unlike military personnel who are rapidly evacuated to higher echelons IV and V for definitive and long-term care, civilians must receive definitive burn treatment at these level III military facilities. The present review was intended to highlight peculiar aspects of war-related burn injuries of both military personnel and civilians and their management based on the most recently published material that, for the most part, is related to the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

MEDEVAC

In current military operations, the survival rates of critically injured casualties are unprecedented. An often hidden aspect of casualty care is safe transport from the point of injury to a field hospital and subsequently on to higher levels of care. This en route critical care, which is provided by flight medics under the most austere and rigorous conditions, is a crucial link in the care continuum. This article introduces the role and capabilities of US Army MEDEVAC and reflects the author’s recent experience in Afghanistan as a flight medic. This article provides an assessment of the operational issues, medical capabilities, and transport experiences to provide a real-world view of critical care transport from the battlefield. The MEDEVAC helicopter environment is one of the most difficult, if not the most demanding, critical care environments. This overview brings to light a small but important piece of the care continuum.

MEDEVAC

In current military operations, the survival rates of critically injured casualties are unprecedented. An often hidden aspect of casualty care is safe transport from the point of injury to a field hospital and subsequently on to higher levels of care. This en route critical care, which is provided by flight medics under the most austere and rigorous conditions, is a crucial link in the care continuum. This article introduces the role and capabilities of US Army MEDEVAC and reflects the author's recent experience in Afghanistan as a flight medic. This article provides an assessment of the operational issues, medical capabilities, and transport experiences to provide a real-world view of critical care transport from the battlefield. The MEDEVAC helicopter environment is one of the most difficult, if not the most demanding, critical care environments. This overview brings to light a small but important piece of the care continuum.

Civilian Social Work: Serving the Military and Veteran Populations

This article discusses social work practice areas for civilian social workers who provide services to military service members,veterans, and their families. These practice areas include education, child welfare, domestic violence, mental health, health care, substance abuse, and criminal justice. The authors examine the impact of the contemporary military lifestyle and current military operations on service members and their families in the context of these practice areas, with the goal of compelling civilian social workers to acknowledge their responsibility to competently serve military and veteran clients.

Development of High-Power Ka/Q Dual-Band and Communications/Radar Dual-Function Helix-TWT

Future military communication systems on mobile satellite uplink platforms such as ground-based high-mobility vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and aircraft have strict constraints in size, weight, and power. Despite these constraints, these platforms also require ever-increasing data rate and bandwidth for video/imagery transmissions from small aperture terminals. In addition to the communications requirements, more UAV platforms, as an important part of current and future military operations, desire radar capabilities for ground mapping and visibility through poor weather conditions. In 2007, as part of an ongoing effort to meet these demands, L-3 Communications Electron Technologies, Inc. successfully developed a Ka/Q dual-band helix-traveling-wave tube, i.e., the 8923H, that produces 315 W minimum output power at Ka-band (30-31 GHz) and 200 W minimum output power at Q-band (43.5-45.5 GHz). The device was primarily developed to satisfy the Ka/Q dual-band communications requirements with power goals of 300 W minimum at Ka-band and 175 W at Q-band, but in addition, the device can also dual-function as a radar source in the Ka-radar-band (33-36 GHz) with peak power up to 400 W and duty demonstrated up to 50%, all from a single device.

Combat exposure, psychological symptoms, and marital satisfaction in National Guard soldiers who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2005 to 2006

In current military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, US National Guard (NG) troops are serving longer deployments than ever before. Little is known, however, about how such deployments affect this population of individuals, relative to active component (AC) troops. This study investigated the extent of combat exposure, severity of post-deployment psychological symptoms, and general interpersonal functioning, as well as the interrelationships of these variables, in 50 NG soldiers who served a 12-month deployment in Iraq from 2005 to 2006. The results indicate that combat exposure and post-deployment post-traumatic stress symptoms in this sample are greater than those in NG veterans of past military operations, and similar to those of full-time soldiers in current operations. Furthermore, the patterns of interrelationships between combat exposure, psychological symptoms, and interpersonal variables were similar to those detected in prior research on AC troops. These results suggest that NG veterans of current military operations may require similar services as active duty veterans. Given that NG troops are less integrated into the military structure, specific outreach efforts may be needed to help NG veterans to receive such services.

The Hippie and the Snake-Eater

An early-2008 Foreign Policy index found that 88% of active and retired American servicemen and women agree that the war in Iraq has stretched the United States military dangerously thin. Another 60% think that the US military today is weaker than it was five years ago. 74% of those surveyed hold low regards for the civilian leadership expressing that civilian policymakers set unreasonable goals for the US military to accomplish. With current military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan serving as backdrops, these inflections serve as the basis of a much-needed conversation on the evolving roles and responsibilities of civilian and military agencies in the post-conflict environment. The immediate solutions to the military’s frustrations have been logical if not only reactionary or temporary stopgaps. If the military is stretched too thin, then expand it. Over the next five years there will be substantial increases in the Army and Marine Corps by as much as over 90,000 troops. If the military is weakening, then strengthen it. The President’s 2008 defense budget pushes defense spending to levels not seen since the Reagan Administration, bringing with it a slew of new military hardware meant to keep the US military on the cutting edge of technology and flexible in the face of emerging threats. If the military is lacking comprehensive training and doctrine to combat insurgencies, then revise doctrine. In December 2007, the US Army and Marine Corps revamped their Counterinsurgency Field Manual, the first time in over two decades either service had published a field manual devoted to counterinsurgency.3 The next President of the United States will face a dynamic range of transnational threats that will likely make us rethink the way modern wars are fought. From terrorism and counterinsurgency to combating the spread of weapons of mass destruction, from illicit trafficking of drugs, people, and guns back to traditional conventional warfare with rising superpowers such as China and Russia, the United States must maintain a variety of diplomatic and military responses at its disposal. As emerging threats in the twenty-first century appear to be rooted at the nexus of security and development, a single-sided military solution cannot fully resolve a multi-dimensional problem. There is a need to develop a more comprehensive civil-military approach to combating terrorism, insurgency, and asymmetric warfare, something that has not fully materialized on the strategic or on the operational level. In order to do this, there is a need to tear down the stereotypes and reintroduce the hippie (statesmen) to the snake-eater (soldier).

A Review of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in US Military Personnel

As the civilian population exhibits increasing trends in major cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in younger age groups, the US military is observing similar trends. These worrisome developments are seen even in young adulthood. Despite the need for a fit, combat-ready force, increases in CV risk are increasingly evident in the military population. This review provides an overview of coronary artery disease in the young and the prevalence of risk factors in the military population. With increases in current military operations in an acutely stressful environment, the role of stress and the manifestation of CV disease are also examined.

On the Horizon From the ORS

On the Horizon From the ORS

Training in the Law of Armed Conflict – A NATO Perspective

Given the complexity and intensity of current multinational military operations, it is important to achieve the highest degree of interoperability possible in all areas, including the training of forces in the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC). NATO Standardization Agreement (STANAG) 2449 sets out a minimum standard of necessary training for NATO forces and provides an outline of a training program useful to all military personnel, and to noncommissioned and commissioned officers specifically. NATO STANAG 2449 provides not only a guideline for nations to use in the training of their forces, but also a basis upon which to assess their respective programs at the macro level in terms of interoperability. In the modern context, ‘interoperability’ necessarily includes consideration of the Rules of Engagement (ROE).

Combat Casualty Care in an Air Force Theater Hospital: Perspectives of Recently Deployed Cardiothoracic Surgeons

Current military operations have generated a large number of casualties and have led to the establishment of the first Air Force Theater Hospital since Vietnam. Located at Balad Airbase, Iraq, this hospital is a busy trauma center. Thoracic injuries are relatively infrequent but highly lethal. The cardiothoracic surgeon is uniquely trained to provide sophisticated surgical management to some of the most severely injured patients. The operative experiences of four recently deployed cardiothoracic surgeons are described. Mortality from combat injury in this conflict is lower than in prior wars. Body armor may prevent some fatal injuries. Several features of military medical care process are helping to improve our outcomes-specifically, the development of a trauma care system modeled on successful civilian centers, the expanded use of damage control concepts, and utilization of early transportation out of the theater of operations using Critical Care Air Transport Teams (CCATT).

Human Rights Aspects of EU Crisis Management Operations: From Nuisance to Necessity

How do we explain under which conditions the EU is likely intervene in one crisis situation and not in another? To what extent have human rights considerations been factored into these operations thus far? This article seeks to answers these questions and describes the decision-making process with respect to EU involvement in crisis management operations and the instruments at the disposal of the EU, with a particular focus on human rights policy. An overview and analysis of current and past civilian and military crisis management operations points to three factors that help to explain EU involvement in crisis situations, namely: norms, interests and institutions. It concludes with suggestions to better integrate human rights into future operations. This article is written in a personal capacity and does not reflect EU positions.