Navy Preventive Medicine Units from San Diego (NEPMU-5) and Hawaii (NEPMU-6) conducted comprehensive public health training in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, as part of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) mission, Oct. 28-Nov. 4.

A team of six trainers successfully provided over 72 hours of training to 42 Cambodian students and 17 civilian Cambodian medical providers. The Tactical Combat Casualty Care course was also included as part of the weeklong event.

"During the 1970s, the United States military and western medicine in general had very little engagement with Cambodian medical authorities," said Cmdr. Shelton Lyons, officer-in-charge, NEPMU-5. "This exercise represents a huge advancement in international relations and strategic policies between our two nations since then."

The CARAT engagement received positive reviews from all parties involved, and the students especially enjoyed the hands-on nature of the Tactical Combat Casualty Care course.

"Engaging with the Cambodian military through this partnership and providing them hands-on tools to save lives during disaster responses was a very rewarding experience," said Senior Chief Petty Officer Norma Armendariz, fleet support leading chief petty officer and training team member.

The training exercise was organized by Lt. William Eickmeyer, NEPMU-6 environmental health officer.

"Experiencing the Cambodian culture and learning to adapt our training to their needs not only helped us to increase their readiness for disaster responses, but also helped us to be better equipped and flexible should our two countries respond to a disaster together," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Jade Tapia, NEPMU-5 training team member.

"The NEPMUs are uniquely capable of providing preventive medicine, environmental and occupational health services; however, we are also able to provide critical training for global health engagements and disaster responses, increasing readiness and overall capacity of our fleet and strategic partners," said Lyons. "Our mission is to provide force health protection anytime and anywhere."

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For more information regarding Navy Preventive Medicine Unit 5, visit http://www.nepmu5.med.navy.mil/.

For more news from Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center, visit http://www.navy.mil/.