Planning for any operation whether short or long term in developing countries is challenging to say the least.

Generally speaking, information available by traditional open source intelligence is broad and general, often information is outdated and poorly monitored. From emergency decompression facilities, blood products or even pharmaceutical resupply, every possible need must be considered and properly researched.

Without proper intelligence gathering, inevitably any plan you set in place will fail. In 2017, our staff spent over 8 months working in environments including Thailand, Fiji, USA, UK, Spain, France, Italy, India, China and Indonesia. All of these countries face their own unique challenges.

From remote Islands and shipping channels in the Yasawa Islands of Fiji, the Taj Mahal in Agra, India, to downtown Manhatten, New York. Our staff were faced with logistical and evacuation challenges every step of the way. Years of experience have meant we achieve constant mission success no matter the task.

Whilst serving in the military, I deployed overseas to an Asian nation, one of the first activities I would undertake upon arrival to a new area is conduct a reconnaissance of the local health infrastructure and evacuation route. The vetted health facilities I was given were often varied in capacity. However one recce was more memorable than the rest. It was the only facility within 150km with an immediate surgical capacity that met the requirements for supporting our operations should something go wrong.

As my driver turned in the “ambulance” bays of the hospital, we were met by 4 armed and angry “guards” and several other military aged males with an obvious and immediate language barrier. I called my local medical liaison who assisted in translation.

A long and lengthy conversation ensued, all the while showing signs of aggression and hostility towards us, Our Liason very abruptly but calmly told us in English that this facility was “closed” and that we should leave the area immediately.

Fortunately, we took strict adherence to our tactics, techniques and procedures (TTP’s) and a second vehicle shadowed our movement for security. This vehicle contained numerous personel that were also using the opportunity to the resupply on necessities.

This “hospital” was no longer operational and now served as a makeshift command, HQ and accomodation for local anti-government movements.

Something, we had inadvertently stumbled upon and something that had the very great potential to cause an international incident.

As my driver slowly backed out of the driveway, our escort closely followed procedure and we made our way along our pre planned route at speed to the safety of our compound. From the moment we made the decision to self extract from that situation, our procedures were immediately and strictly followed. This precise planning may have ultimately been the difference in the outcome of survival.

Lessons learnt on that day will never be forgotten, some of these are:

Don’t trust local health intelligence until you confirm it yourself.
If you don’t speak the local language, always have an interpreter available 24/7
Simple planning such as route selection, alternatives and pre notifying of movements is essential to a large operation running effectively.
Always conduct secondary reconnaissance once on the ground
Never take a stethoscope to a gun fight, you feel grossly inadequate 100% of the time.
Make a Plan A, B, C, D and never forget your escape plan.

A.

Good Medicine in bad places

Remote medical support for an upcoming feature film off the coast of Fiji.