Camp Lemonnier Veterinary Service Team Train on K-9 TCCC

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Patricia Elkins

Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti (Nov. 6, 2024) – Camp Lemonnier’s Expeditionary Medical Facility (EMF) veterinary service team held a 3-day K-9 Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) training for Camp Lemonnier and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa medical professionals at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti.

The training began with military working dog (MWD) patrol and agility demonstrations to showcase their role in CLDJ’s security mission.

“They are the first line for ensuring nothing enters the base or the port that should not and they are the best visual deterrent for anyone looking to do harm to the base,” said Chief Master-at-Arms Robert Dorato, Camp Lemonnier kennel master.

MWD’s are critical assets for military police and special operations units serving in operational environments. The K-9 TCCC training ensures injured working dogs receive the highest level of resuscitative care in the absence of military veterinary personnel.

Training continued with classroom training sessions that included hands-on instruction with the K-9 mannequins and ended with realistic trauma scenarios.

“This training builds on the medical knowledge and resources of medical providers and focuses on the key anatomical and physiological differences that make our military working dogs (MWD) unique and challenging patients,” said U.S. Army Capt. Daniel Mudd, director of CLDJ veterinary services. “Veterinary services rely heavily on trained handlers and forward medical assets to provide point-of-injury care for the MWD’s.”

As the only Level II military trauma center on the African continent, Camp Lemonnier’s EMF operates as a force healthcare system providing emergent care, preventative medicine and veterinary services to support Camp Lemonnier and forward-deployed units in the region. CLDJ’s EMF conducts regular trauma training for CLDJ medical and veterinary personnel to maintain crisis response readiness.

Camp Lemonnier is an operational installation that enables U.S., allied and partner nation forces to be where they are needed to ensure security and protect U.S. interests. The installation provides world-class support for service members, transient U.S. assets and 36 local tenant commands. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Patricia Elkins)