Caring for the injured: 912th Forward Surgical Team treats sick and injured

For a small unit, the 912th Medical Forward Surgical Team (FST) had one big mission and one large homecoming ceremony.

The 912th deployed 17 Soldiers in mid-February 2003, spending over a year--including one 180-day extension and one 120-day extension--supporting the Global War on Terrorism in Iraq. Attached to the 1st Armored Division, they remained in theater longer than any other Reserve or Active Army FST.

The extended time away made the welcome home ceremony that much sweeter. The 912th FST Soldiers returned home to Worcester, Mass., on July 24 to approximately 400 enthusiastic family members and friends. Arriving nearly an hour earlier than expected from Fort Dix, N.J., families and friends reunited before the official reunion ceremony.

"It's wonderful, just wonderful," said 912th Commander COL Leanne Chabior 57, alongside a smiling husband, Richard.

"We've been waiting for this moment," said Richard Chabior. "It is wonderful!"

The 912th FST's mission in Iraq was to provide a rapidly deployable urgent, initial surgical service forward in a Division's Area of Operations.

Staffed with highly trained clinical personnel, the 912th FST has the capacity of sustaining "golden hour," a treatment of casualties for up to 36 continuous hours, in the combat theater of operations before retrofitting and re-supplying. While in Iraq, the 912th FST gave mostly surgical care for life, limb, and eyesight, treating more than 1,800 patients between August and September 2003 alone.

"There's no way to describe it--I've been a nurse in (civilian) hospitals, but never saw it like that--the medical support we provided day after day" said CPT Lynda Perry, 55, an operating room nurse. "I never saw that many injured people in (civilian) hospitals."

The 912th FST consists of surgeons, anesthetics, nurses, an operations officer, senior sergeant (or technicians), and licensed practical nurse type of medics.

During the formal ceremony, BG Dean Sienko, commander of the 804th Medical Brigade, thanked the 912th FST for its service.

"Not only did you take care of each other, you took care of other people," said Sienko. "You did this very well."

Sienko added, "There is nothing more noble than taking care of our sons and daughters in harm's way ... You honorably served and accomplished your mission, and you join the legion of American heroes who have served their nation honorably and well."

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