Soldiers Fight For Care After Deadly Iranian Attack

An Iranian drone strike on March 1 resulted in the deaths of six U.S. service members and injuries to dozens more, including Army Lt. Col. Arturo Lincón. Soldiers who spoke with The Associated Press described a challenging experience with the military's medical care system following the attack at Port Shuaiba in Kuwait. Lincón sustained severe injuries, including a severed artery, but was initially denied admission to a major U.S. military hospital and told to seek outpatient care. Other soldiers reported significant delays in receiving test results and inadequate initial treatment.

These accounts highlight concerns about the preparedness and responsiveness of the medical system for wounded troops. Years of disinvestment in the Middle East by multiple administrations have led to the closure of major U.S.-run medical facilities in the region. This drawdown created a situation where soldiers had to actively advocate for their own treatment and navigate what they described as bureaucratic obstacles.

The Pentagon has stated that all wounded troops are evaluated and admitted based on injury severity, following healthcare industry practices. However, soldiers like Major Stephen Ramsbottom and Chief Warrant Officer 4 Rodney Bearman shared experiences of long waits for diagnoses and care. Some soldiers were only diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) weeks after returning to the U.S., prompting further questions about the effectiveness of initial battlefield assessments and follow-up protocols.