New CSH in Anbar serving soldiers and "giving back to organizations that are helping us"

Task Force 3 MEDCOM is opening a new CSH (Combat Support Hospital) in Anbar province next week, providing an upgrade to previous facilities.

The 399th Combat Support Hospital, at Asad, will serve as the primary medical facility for the Marine Expeditionary Force and U.S. Army troops in the region, along with Iraqi army and police units in Anbar province.

“The primary benefit of having this hospital in the al-Anbar province is that it will reduce the amount of time before Marines, Coalition and Iraqi Armed Forces receive level III (Surgical and Stabilization) medical care in the region,” officials said.

More than 40 percent of American casualties in Iraq are suffered in Anbar province, so the need for faster high-level care is apparent.

The new combat support hospital will include a women’s clinic, outpatient clinics, mental health and occupational therapy/physical therapy areas, along with a range of surgical possibilities, officials said. It will also have a lab, blood bank and CT scan capabilities.

So aside from all the high-tech equipment and top-notch personnel, what does a brand new hospital need?

To date, we've sent coffee pots, microwaves, funds to purchase TV's, DVD players and video games to equip their wards. The Soldiers' Angels Foundation and our volunteer Angels have also sent blankets, sheets, sweat shirts, snacks by the ton, DVD movies, coffee, cocoa, microwave popcorn... you get the idea.

TF3 MEDCOM includes more than 30 medical units and about 3,000 soldiers and is responsible for all medical care in Iraq. The 399th CSH is an Army Reserve unit from Taunton, Mass.

Now here is the neat thing, according to my buddy Roger who is SA's POC for the CSHs downrange:

A couple of soldiers in that unit started IraqiMuscle.com (a health website) where you can track your weight-lifting progress and buy t-shirts. They split the profits between Soldiers' Angels and Adopt a Soldier. It is growing by leaps and bounds. They said they "wanted to give back to organizations that are helping us."

If you'd like to help support the CSHs, Aid Stations, Surgical Units, or Medics downrange, email Roger or go to the Soldiers' Angels website to make a cash donation.