By Dan Kennedy, PMO Medical Devices FORT DETRICK, Md. — The Army Medical Research and Materiel Command has initiated steps to evaluate a new bioelec- tric bandage Small silver and zinc dots embedded into cloth create micro-currents in the presence of moisture. This may create an anti-microbial environment and provide pain reduction. The use of silver on burns has a long history of preventing infections. The combination of silver, zinc and moisture is pur- ported to create pain-reducing antimicrobial micro-currents. According to literature from the manufacturer, the results of this bandage dressing include faster healing, greater pain control, reduced incidence of infection and decreased scarring. The Food and Drug Administration has cleared the device for antimicrobial wound care, which is the primary rea- son for the Army’s genuine interest in the product. The bandage is currently being used on hard-to-heal wounds, with multiple research studies under- way. Anecdotal results are promising, especially with regard to pain control. In some cases, wound pain is reported to be reduced dramatically. The nature of the cloth con- forms well to multiple sur- faces of the body. Bacterial, viral and fungal infections are anticipated to be impacted by the antimicrobial properties of the bandage dressing, which has tremendous potential for Soldier use. Studies are underway with Ranger units. Recently, at a Ranger road march, a consider- able number of Soldiers obtained blisters and were treat- ed with the bandage.The results were notable, as many Soldiers reported dramatic pain relief and the ability to quickly return to the march. The novel technology of this bandage is that it purportedly creates a healing bioelectrical pathway over the entire wound surface, enhancing the body’s natural healing environment. As a broad-spectrum antimi- crobial flexible dressing with electrically active currents providing pain control, the device could have huge poten- tial for the Army if testing sci- entific testing bears out anec- dotal claims. Bio-med research offers new, improved bandage 6A the Cannoneer, February 9, 2012 1701 Cache Road 353-7496 N-4 Government Agencies • City Hall 103 S. 4th, R-8 • Comanche County Court House, 5th & “C” Ave., Q-8 • Federal Building, 5th & “E” Ave., Q-9 • Police Station, 10 S. 4th, R-8 • U.S. Post Office, Substation 53rd & Cache Rd., F-4 • Comanche County Fairgrounds Arena & Coliseum, M-8 • Headstart Program 1305 SW 11th, P-11 • Lawton High School, 11th & Ferris, P-5 • Eisenhower High School, 53rd & Gore, F-7 • MacArthur High School, 4400 E. 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M2 353-3100 "Best Little Surplus Store in Town" We Make Dog Tags Military Surplus & More Carl's Imported Wines Liquor • Beer JP is the lowest N-4 2002 NW Cache Road • 355-7451 FREE ESTIMATES S-10 H We handle your insurance claims H FREE Estimates H ASE and ICAR Certified Technicians H State-of-the Art equipment Auto & Motorcycle Custom Paint & Repair 902 S. 2nd St. 353-1790 250-4500 arvest.com 9 Locations and 22 ATMs • Lawton • Duncan • Walters • Chickasha • Elgin Cameron Baptist www.cameronbaptist.com www.cameronbaptist.com DISCOVER THE DIFFERENCE! 8:30 Traditional Worship 9:30 Bible Study (all ages) 11:00 Contemporary Worship Exciting activities for EVERY member of the Family! 355-4854 355-4854 Senior Pastor, Bob Jones 2621 C Ave Lawton Mindy B. Pritchard Insurance Agency Auto • Home • Life • Commercial • Annuities (580) 248-6286 Office (580) 357-4000 Fax (580) 351-8564 Cell [email protected] 305 NW Sheridan Suite B-1 Story, photo by Marie Berberea According to Gen. Douglas MacArthur: “Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword obviously never encountered automatic weapons.” Lawton’s Great Plains Technology Center has been training Fort Sill Soldiers on how to make sure those weapons are ready since 1995. Formerly Great Plains Vo-Tech, the technology center had a contract with III Corps that requested a modification of contract to include unit armor. While that maintenance does include a pen and paperwork, the eight-day course teaches Soldiers arms room operations to include organiza- tional maintenance procedures, physi- cal security measures, administrative procedures and military publications, forms and records. “When they finish they’re trained to a level where they can maintain and provide that service to that unit as the unit armorer,”said Clarence Fortney, Great Plains Technology Center deputy superintendent The class also goes over how to per- form routine maintenance on the M-2 machine gun, M-203, M-16, M-249, M- 9, M-G SAW and the MK-19. “What we’re going to offer is not just the theory, but also the hands on and that’s where we think we excel being able to provide the knowledge but also the hands on that reinforces that learn- ing,”said Fortney. “If something gets tore up and they go down to where a Soldier doesn’t have an individually assigned weapon, then that unit is ineffective,” said Master Sgt. Jeramy Dearmon, 31st Air Defense Artillery.“So that guy’s focus is to make sure that entire weapons room is straight.” The additional duty is not one to be taken lightly. Being able to account for the unit’s weapons is a major responsi- bility and the technology center hired former service members to emphasize that point. “We found some individuals who were retired military that had that expertise from their time in the service and they were looking for part-time work,” said John Noel, Adult Career Development director. “From the standpoint of administra- tor with the school, anytime we can keep the training local it keeps the dol- lars local and that has in effect direct economic development to the commu- nity. It pays people locally, it keeps that money local,”said Fortney. The tech center has also ensured Soldiers deploying have specialized knowledge that will help them be self- sustaining in the field. “We would prepare Soldiers going to Iraq particularly if they needed to serv- ice air conditioning systems on vehi- cles because you have to have training on reclaiming that refrigerant,” said Fortney.“You can’t just let it go into the atmosphere so we would do a short course to teach the Soldiers how to properly check and then reclaim that freon.” They also teach an electrical meas- urements training class in support of the Air Defense Artillery Warrant Officer Basic Course. Noel said with the current military budget crunch, the classes are even more of an asset as the instructors come to Fort Sill, and Soldiers do not have to travel for training. Fortney added there are tuition assis- tance programs through goarmy.ed for active-duty Soldiers, as well as tuition assistance through MyCAA, or Military Spouses Career Advancement Account program, for military spouses. Tech center teaches armory operations pen>sword< automatic weapons Sgt. David Letellier, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Air Defense Artillery, and Spc. Brandon Tucker, 4th Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery, work on their maintenance skills Feb. 6 during unit armor training through Great Plains Technology Center. A new bioelectric bandage is being exam- ined by the Army to see if it speeds up heal- ing, provides greater pain control, reduces infection risk and decreases scarring.