SMARDAN, Romania- On exercise Steadfast Dart, NATO's largest exercise in 2025, The field hospital plays a crucial role in providing medical support to the troops. Led by Ruby-Rose, a Lieutenant of the 21 Multi-Role Medical Regiment of the British Army, the field hospital offers essential medical interventions ranging from damage control and resuscitation to complex surgeries.
We're equipped to handle severe trauma cases that occur close to the front lines, ensuring we're ready for any critically ill patients that might arise from battlefield conditions
Maximizing effectiveness: A field hospital is strategically positioned close to the front lines, while still maintaining tactical safety. This proximity ensures that the most critically injured can receive immediate care without delay. "We position ourselves close to unit aid posts or ambulance exchange points, to provide quick access to damage control surgeries for incoming casualties," Lt Ruby-Rose states. "This setup minimizes transport times and maximizes the effectiveness of the initial response".
The medical team at the field hospital prepares for a wide range of injuries typical in combat scenarios, such as gunshot wounds and crush injuries. "We're equipped to handle severe trauma cases that occur close to the front lines, ensuring we're ready for any critically ill patients that might arise from battlefield conditions," she adds.
Significant challenges: Setting up and operating a field hospital on an exercise like Steadfast Dart comes with unique challenges. Lt Ruby-Rose highlights several logistical hurdles: "Ensuring our surgical team has a flat surface to work on and managing our supplies to keep drugs at operational temperatures are significant challenges. We also need a reliable supply of power and fuel to keep the hospital functional."
The field hospital staff apply real-world lessons to their training, preparing for scenarios where casualties might have been suffering from conditions for days before reaching the facility. "We adapt our strategies to handle long-term care needs, which might not be encountered in more controlled environments".
As Steadfast Dart continues, the field hospital remains a vital component of the exercise. This capability ensures that all participating forces can rely on robust and responsive medical support. This not only enhances the overall effectiveness of the military maneuvers but also reinforces the importance of medical readiness in modern military operations.