“We bring advanced medical care to the fight,” said Navy Hospitalman 2nd Class Rudy R. Estrada, STP surgical technician and San Diego, Calif., native. “With the types of injuries we’re seeing, having the MTB with us is a huge asset. Having the advanced equipment so close to the fight has saved a lot of lives.”

A wounded Marine’s chance of survival is increased exponentially if they reach medical care within the first 60 minutes of the injury or what the docs refer to as the “golden hour.” The golden hour represents the time from the point of injury to the time the patient receives treatment.

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When Hurricanes Ike and Gustav hammered the Louisiana Gulf coast, local measures to control mosquito populations were destroyed or overwhelmed. The State of Louisiana requested Federal assistance through FEMA and the call went to the 757th Airlift Squadron and the 910th Aerial Spray Maintenance Flight.

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“We saved his life and this little guy can now grow up,” she said. “He could be known for greatness in his country some day. You never know.”

She wiped away a tear, a ‘Ctrl-Alt Del’ for her emotions and her professional decorum. Her mentally exhausted teammates also gathered themselves and pitched in. Smiles soon returned to everyone’s face.

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Take a look at my article.

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She originally enlisted in 2002 to prove to her family that she is dependable, and that she could do something without them “hovering over” her. “I know I’ve done that,” she said, “and more.”

Having achieved her original goal, Conner said, she continues serving in the Army – with today marking her second re-enlistment — because she feels it’s her calling.

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A large group of Sudanese refugees living in tents were visited by a group of friendly faces, Aug. 25, 2008.

Marines and Sailors with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5 visited the community of Sudanese refugees near Al Waleed, Iraq, which is on the Iraq-Jordan border, to provide them with healthcare, Aug. 25, 2008.

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Intense physiological responses to harmless stimuli often are a hallmark of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury — known as PTSD and TBI — afflictions that affect Bradley and an estimated 20 percent of U.S. veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to a report by the Rand Corporation.

But Bradley, who was hired as an analyst with Halfacre & Associates in February, has found that, in addition to dispelling his fears that the skills he learned in the Army wouldn’t translate into a civilian job, his employment also has helped on the road to recovery.

“To get back into the work force and be able to see that I can succeed [and that] what I wrote down on my resume is true, and that I can do it, and I have a lot to offer … has really decreased stress,” he said. “To overcome those obstacles, and being able to be out in the work force, has really helped emphasize that I can do it and I can succeed.”

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The Los Angeles Times has an exclusive story today suggesting that noted microbiologist Bruce Ivins had become a suspect in the 2001 anthrax murders. It further reports that Ivins has apparently committed suicide.

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Afghan and American surgeons working together July 24 saved the life of Tourpekai, a 10-year-old girl.

Dr. Hamid Rahmani, from Farah Hospital, and U.S. Army Captain (Dr.) Patrick McGraw, a surgeon with Farah Provincial Reconstruction Team, performed the surgery with the assistance of Aref, an anaesthetist with Farah Hospital. When the surgery was completed, they had removed a 10-pound tumour from Tourpekai’s abdomen.

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The local citizens who use the medical clinic in the Hateen apartments will now have 24-hour power thanks to the assistance of coalition forces.

Soldiers repaired the 30K generator that powers the clinic. It runs approximately 20 hours a day to augment the limited electricity available in the area, said 1st Lt. Jonathan Akers, a medical officer at the aid station for the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment.

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