A Danish helicopter, operating from the NATO Danish warship HDMS ESBERN SNARE, visited the EU NAVFOR Swedish warship HSwMS CARLSKRONA this week. The two countries, while operating under differing command arrangements within NATO and EU respectively, are however on operations with a joint mission, which is the fight against piracy in the Horn of Africa.
A joint exercise between the two warships demonstrated the possibility and efficiency of medical transports between the forces. The mission that warships are conducting, off the coast of Somalia, is not without risks. When operating at a distance at sea and remote land based hospitals, there is a joint need to rely on this medical competency at sea.
The EU NAVFOR Swedish warship HSwMS CARLSKRONA has a “ROLE 2” medical capacity. This means the ship has the capability to perform stabilising surgery, damage control and perform intensive care for 2 to 3 patient up to 72 hours. Three senior doctors and six nurses are serving in the warship’s medical department.
For the effectiveness of this operation, it is essential that the different Forces present in the region, are able to cooperate and share information and expertise. “We have a very good relationship with the other forces and a big part of what we have accomplished could not have been done without the unique relationship we have”, said Commander Håkan Nilsson, Commanding officer of the HSWMS CARLSKRONA.