Lessons learned: Operation Anaconda

With the recent long deployments of our military, a review of lessons learned becomes a vital part of mission success and helps to shape our forces for future conflicts. This article examines some medical issues that were experienced by the Raider Rakkasans of the 101st Airborne (Air Assault) Division during Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan. Topics include nutrition, altitude sickness, medical evacuation requests, and the evacuation of wounded on resupply platforms (back-hauling). When nutritional aspects of war fighting were discussed, an emphasis was placed on making a greater variety of field rations accessible to the force with the addition of a multivitamin to each ration. Also, a meal high in caloric content before infiltration and an education/inspection program to ensure the maximum benefit of each ration was reviewed. The use of acetazolamide to combat altitude sickness was also discussed. Dosing of 250 mg BID 24 hours before a rapid assent, then 125 mg BID for 4 days was suggested. Line three of the medical evacuation request was also reviewed for reporting inaccuracies. Complete physical examinations and direct dialogue between medical personnel and commanders was stressed. Last, a standard medical package to accompany any resupply during hostilities was advised, instead of releasing ground medical personnel to attend the wounded when using this for an evacuation platform.