Air Force

LANDSTUHL, Germany – Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, the largest overseas U.S. hospital and the only one with the distinction of being a Level II Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons is also certified by the German Trauma Network as a regional Level II Trauma Center. It is the only U.S. medical facility that is dual-certified in the U.S. and a host nation.

Professor (Dr.) Timothy Pohlemann, who was instrumental in helping LRMC achieve this distinction as well as providing critical care to our warfighters, has retired after more than 40 years of remarkable service in trauma and orthopedic surgery.

The farewell ceremony, held at the Homburg campus, included tributes to his contributions to medicine, education, and international collaboration, particularly his impact on the relationship between Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes (UKS) and LRMC.

“Professor Pohlemann’s vision extended beyond the operating room. He was key in fostering a strong partnership between UKS and LRMC. This collaboration bridged the gap between German and American medical practices, leading to enhanced trauma care for both civilian and military patients, said Burnett.

For his contributions and service, U.S. Army Col. Cluade Burnett and U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. (Dr.) Mary Stuever, LRMC’s trauma medical director, presented Pohlemann with a challenge coin and a U.S. flag.

The U.S. flag was flown on Aug 28, 2024, to commemorate the three-year anniversary of Pohlemann’s selfless act of service, when he and other surgeons from UKS Homburg were granted emergency privileges and joined the LRMC medical staff to care for critically injured U.S. service members and Afghani citizens.

Pohlemann’s partnership with LRMC enhanced interoperability between the medical systems of both countries.

“The importance of military-civilian trauma partnerships became evident after a series of attacks at the Hamid Karzai International Airport on Aug. 26, 2021,” said Stuever. “Dr. Pohlemann and eight other physicians from UKS Homburg were waiting at the LRMC main gate to help. A total of 19 patients were transferred to LRMC that day. After triage, Professor Pohlemann and his team arranged for the immediate transfer of pediatric patients to UKS Homburg.”

As Pohlemann steps into retirement, his successor, Prof. (Dr.) Emmanouil Liodakis, takes up the mantle of leadership at UKS.

“Dr. Liodakis, a distinguished orthopedic and trauma surgeon, is well regarded for his expertise in treating musculoskeletal injuries, particularly pelvic and acetabular fractures. The LRMC trauma and health engagements teams are eager to continue the partnership under his leadership and advance the collaborative efforts initiated by Prof. Pohlemann,” said Burnett.

High Sheriffs, Vice Lord-Lieutenants, and Deputy Lieutenants from Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, along with along with Royal Air Force representatives and invited guests from the local community, visited Royal Air Force Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath, England, Oct. 9, 2024.

They toured the bases as part of a familiarization visit to learn about Team Mildenhall and Liberty Wing mission sets and global impact.

The High Sheriffs have a responsibility to uphold law and order to their county and support the crown and judiciary. Deputy Lieutenants are selected for their contributions to the local community and ability to represent the country. These appointed officials and play an important role in maintaining and growing the relationship between military bases and local community.

PHILIPPINE SEA (October 13, 2024) – Sailors assigned to the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) and embarked Marines, assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), held a ceremony on the mess decks to celebrate the Navy’s 249th birthday, Oct. 13, 2024.

The theme of this year’s celebration is warfighting, strength and readiness, highlighting the Navy’s ability to operate anywhere, at any time, to promote security, deter aggression, and defend shared ideals.

For the last 249 years, the United States Navy has been there to answer the call. From the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean, and from the skies around the world, we continue to operate in support of our Allies and Partners, defending our protected interests, bringing lifesaving supplies to those in need, and countless other missions.

During Boxer’s celebration ceremony, Capt. Brian Holmes, commanding officer, recalled the story of Lt. Cmdr. John D. Bulkeley, a Medal of Honor recipient who showed extraordinary heroism during World War II as the commander of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Three in the same waters that Boxer is currently operating in today.

Under Bulkeley’s command, the PT boats of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Three severely damaged and destroyed multiple Japanese enemy planes, surface combatants and merchant ships, and dispersed landing parties and enemy forces for over four months in the waters surrounding the Philippines. His team was also responsible for safely bringing General Douglas MacArthur and his family out of the island of Corregidor in the Philippines, sailing through heavily-patrolled enemy waters, allowing him to evade capture and lead the counteroffensive in the Pacific that ultimately changed the course of WWII.

“That same courage and that same determination that Lt. Cmdr. Bulkeley showed in World War II, we still celebrate today,” said Holmes. “I take great pride in knowing that we are the same Navy today that we were 249 years ago – strong, capable, and ready. I am incredibly proud to be sailing in the same waters, with the crew of Boxer and the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, where Lieutenant Commander Bulkeley and those who have gone before us so bravely operated in defense of our nation’s security.”

The United States Navy was born through the sacrifice and determination of the men and women who served a noble cause to defend the people of the United States of America, tracing its origins back to the American Revolution.

“Soon after the War on Independence, the U.S. Constitution empowered the new Congress to provide and maintain the Navy,” said Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Corey Gadson during the ceremony. “Acting on this authority, Congress established the Department of the Navy on April 30, 1798, and in the years that followed, the first ships were constructed: the Constellation, Constitution, Congress, Chesapeake, United States and the President, known as the six frigates.”

In the last 249 years, the Navy has since grown to become a symbol of freedom for both the American people and the world, protecting the air and seas, deterring aggression and operating alongside our Allies and Partners in support of shared interests of peace and stability.

“Today, we have more than 280 ships – with 77 more under construction or on order – manned and backed by more than 300,000 Sailors,” said Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class Alana Reyes. “We are our nation’s vital maritime maneuver force – persistent, versatile, and capable of winning any fight and ready for the challenges of the future.”

Boxer and embarked elements of the 15th MEU are conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Boxer is a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship homeported in San Diego. Commissioned February 11, 1995, Boxer is the sixth ship to bear the name. Boxer’s crew is made up of approximately 1,200 officers and enlisted personnel and can accommodate up to 1,800 Marines.

For more information or imagery for USS Boxer visit: https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/LHD-4

Follow us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/ussboxer/

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ussboxer/

MRF-SEA PRESS RELEASE

MANILA, Philippines – U.S. Marines across multiple forward-deployed commands concluded six days of foreign disaster relief efforts in the Philippines Oct. 10, 2024, supporting the U.S. Agency for International Development’s humanitarian response to Typhoon Krathon (locally known as Julian) at the request of the Philippine government.

Marines and Sailors from Marine Rotational Force – Southeast Asia (MRF-SEA); 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (I MAW); III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF); and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (15th MEU) embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) delivered nearly 96,000 pounds of foreign disaster relief supplies to Batan Island, a remote island in the Batanes Province and one of the locations most impacted by Krathon.

Typhoon Krathon originated 155 miles southwest of Okinawa before moving northwest, reaching peak intensity Oct. 1, with sustained winds of 195 kph (120 mph). Krathon heavily battered the northern islands of the Philippines, leading to evacuations, infrastructure damage, and food supply insecurity in affected communities.

At the request of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin directed U.S. Indo-Pacific Command to support USAID’s relief efforts due to the unique capabilities and high state of readiness of forward-deployed U.S. Marine Corps forces.

MRF-SEA first arrived in the Philippines in late September to participate in upcoming training exercises with the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Operating out of Fort Bonifacio, Philippines, MRF-SEA immediately began coordination with the U.S. Department of State, USAID, the AFP, and other U.S. Marine Corps units to plan support for the relief effort. Two teams of Marines and Sailors from MRF-SEA integrated with USAID and AFP personnel in Manila and Laoag to plan and prepare for the arrival of KC-130J Hercules aircraft from 1st MAW in Okinawa, Japan, and personnel from 3rd Marine Logistics Group.

“Before Marine Corps aircraft ever touched down in the Philippines, Marines and Sailors with MRF-SEA were integrated with our partners in the U.S. and Philippine governments, on site at Villamor Air Base and Laoag International Airport, with the manpower and heavy equipment needed to package and move aid material,” said Col. Stuart Glenn, commanding officer, MRF-SEA. “Forward-deployed Marine Corps forces allow us to quickly respond to humanitarian missions because we’re already in the region. I am extremely proud that our team was able to set the necessary conditions to quickly provide relief to the Philippine people.”

After arriving on Oct. 5, the cargo planes were loaded with supplies at Villamor Air Base and flown to Laoag International Airport in northern Luzon for staging and preparation to move the supplies to their final destination on Batan Island. The KC-130 crews conducted 26.2 hours of flight operations, successfully transported all aid materials to Laoag.

As U.S. and Philippine personnel worked to move supplies north, the 15th MEU arrived aboard USS Boxer and began flight operations to support relief efforts on Oct. 8. MV-22B Ospreys, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), landed in Laoag, and combined teams from the 15th MEU, MRF-SEA, and Philippine Marines spent the next three days loading Ospreys, the Marine Corps’ medium-lift tiltrotor V/STOL platform, with disaster relief supplies for the final leg of the movement to the Basco Airport on Batan Island. Pilots and aircrews from VMM-165 (Rein.) conducted more than 55 flights and successfully delivered the final disaster relief material on Thursday, Oct. 10.

“The primary focus of our mission is helping the people of the Philippines recover as quickly and safely as possible,” said Col. Sean Dynan, commanding officer, 15th MEU. “Humanitarian assistance in an expeditionary environment is what we train to do, and it is one of the reasons we are forward-deployed as an amphibious force.”

The forward presence and ready posture of U.S. Marine forces in the Indo-Pacific region was pivotal to the rapid and effective response to Typhoon Krathon, demonstrating the U.S.’s commitment to its allies and partners during times of need.

-30-

POINT OF CONTACT:

Capt. Mark McDonough

Communication Strategy & Operations Director

Marine Rotational Force – Southeast Asia

+1 (760) 799-4590

[email protected]