Possible Directions of NATO Military Operations Against the Kaliningrad Region of the Russian Federation (Based on Materials from Open Publications)

The article is devoted to the possible directions of NATO military operations against the Kaliningrad region as an anti-access and area denial zone (A2/AD), which interferes with the plans of the North Atlantic Alliance in the Baltic region (based on materials from open publications of winter-spring 2021). Shows the danger and unrealizability of these intentions (including on the basis of the results of the Polish military exercise Zima-20).

Managing mental health on a prolonged deployment: UK military exercise SAIF SAREEA 3

IntroductionThis paper presents the burden of mental health cases throughout UK military exercise SAIF SAREEA 3 (SS3), a low-tempo armoured brigade exercise in Oman from June to November 2018, and aims to discuss ways that mental health may be better managed on future large exercises.MethodsA retrospective review of all attendances at army medical facilities and relevant computerised medical records was undertaken.Results14 mental health cases were identified, which required 51 follow-up presentations throughout the duration of SS3. This represented 1.2% of all first patient presentations, and 6.3% of all follow-up work. 64% had diagnoses which predated deployment and could all be classified within 10th revision of International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems as either F30–F39 mood (affective) disorders, or F40–F48 neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders; all new diagnoses made while deployed were adjustment disorders. The medical officer spent an average of 147 min total clinical care time per patient. Six patients were aeromedically evacuated (AE), which represented 26% of all AE cases from SS3.ConclusionsPresentations were low, but time consuming and with poor disposal outcomes. Most conditions predated the exercise, and could have been predicted to worsen through the deployment. Given the disproportionate burden that mental health cases afforded during SS3, future brigade-sized deployments should include deployed mental health professionals in order to offer evidence-based therapy which should lead to improved disposal outcomes and a reduced AE burden.

Structuring a UK military role 1 medical treatment facility for a sustained mobile exercise in a hot desert environment: UK military exercise SAIF SAREEA 3

Exercise SAIF SAREEA 3 (SS3) is a triservice combined joint training military Exercise between the UK and the Omani Armed forces. SS3 represented a rare opportunity to exercise a complete role 1 medical reception station (MRS) in a tented platform for a prolonged period providing ‘real life support’, as opposed to an exercise without casualties. This article is a discursive paper making recommendations for amendments to the established structure for the MRS within static high-temperature deployments. Considering the facility blueprint, recognising and implementing improvements to patient flow and increasing infection prevention control measures resulted in limiting the spread of disease outbreak. During the deployment there were considerable challenges delivering care in extreme heat above 50°C these included the use of environmental control units, white liners and refrigerator units which allowed care to be delivered throughout the day, and for the appropriate care of both casualties and medication. Finally, the article covers improved patient service with a paper-based triage system supporting innovative ideas to deliver care.

Medical equipment trends during the UK military exercise SAIF SAREEA 3 in Oman

IntroductionEx SAIF SAREEA 3 was a joint British-Omani military exercise involving approximately 5500 British personnel deployed to Oman over a 6-month period. Role 1 medical care was provided by medical treatment facilities (MTFs) deployed with medical equipment as per the UK 300 medical module.MethodRetrospective analysis was undertaken of prospectively collected equipment usage data from two Role 1 MTFs in Duqm (MTF 1) and Muaskar Al Murtafa (MTF 2) camps over a period of 6–8 weeks. Data were analysed alongside routinely collected epidemiological data (EPINATO) during the deployment. Equipment used in addition to the module was also recorded.ResultsMTF 1 used 50 out of the 179 different items from the module over the 8-week period. MTF 2 used 45 out of the 179 different items from their module over the 6-week period. The most commonly used items across the sites were non-sterile examination gloves, plastic aprons, tympanic thermometer probe covers, disinfectant wipes and self-adhesive plasters. Extramodular items (blunt fill needle, water pump sprayer, Jelonet gauze and stool specimen pot) accounted for 5% of all equipment used in MTF 1.ConclusionThe study showed that the 300 module accommodates 95% of Role 1 patients’ needs but highlights the requirement for dedicated equipment for the treatment of heat casualties if deemed likely and blunt fill/filter needles for the administration of parenteral medication. Commanders must perform a thorough medical estimate and risk assessment prior to deployment to ensure that the 300 medical module is likely to provide the necessary equipment and supplement the module if required.

DIPLOMASI PERTAHANAN LITTORAL STATES DI SELAT MALAKA MELALUI KERANGKA PATROLI SELAT MALAKA

<p>Selat Malaka sebagai salah satu selat yang memiliki nilai strategis dalam perdagangan dunia kerap menghadapi berbagai ancaman keamanan non-tradisional. Sesuai dengan UNCLOS, littoral states seperti Indonesia, Singapura, dan Malaysia berkewajiban untuk menjaga keamanan di wilayah perairan Selat Malaka agar perdagangan dan ekonomi dunia tidak terganggu. Penelitian ini menganalisis bagaimana kerangka kerjasama Malacca Straits Patrol (MSP) dibentuk sebagai sebuah kerjasama yang dibentuk oleh littoral states dalam rangka menjaga stabilitas keamanan di wilayah perairan Selat Malaka. Peneliti menggunakan metode penelitian kualitatif melalui studi pustaka. Data yang diperoleh dianalisis menggunakan konsep kerja sama pertahanan dan diplomasi pertahanan. Hasil penelitian menjelaskan bahwa MSP yang terdiri atas Malacca Straits Sea Patrol (MSSP), “Eyes-in-the-Sky” Combined Maritime Air Patrols (EiS), dan MSP Intelligence Exchange Group (IEG) merupakan salah satu bentuk aktivitas diplomasi pertahanan berupa multilateral contacts between military officials dan multilateral military exercise yang bertujuan untuk meningkatkan rasa percaya dan kapabilitas pertahanan masing-masing negara.</p><p><strong>Kata Kunci :</strong> selat malaka, the malacca straits patrol framework, ancaman, kerjasama pertahanan, diplomasi pertahanan</p>