TURRIALBA, Costa Rica –
Recently, a surgeon cell from Joint Task Force-Bravo traveled to Costa Rica to conduct a predeployment site survey ahead of a three-day medical mission to the remote area of Turrialba.
A critical step in mission planning, PDSSs are led by small contingencies from JTF-Bravo allowing them to visit and assess locations being considered for future operations.
In 2024, Joint Task Force-Bravo executed 29 medical missions in Honduras and nine more throughout Central America treating close to 10,000 individuals in need. For decades, medical readiness training exercises, also known as MEDRETEs, have been a hallmark of JTF-Bravo’s enduring presence in the region and a catalyst for increased stability.
These missions, however, do not come about easily and are the product of months of planning, coordination, and collaboration with host nation civil and military agencies.
“First and foremost, we consider the medical necessity and have to ask ourselves if we are sending our resources to areas where they will have the biggest impact,” said U.S. Army Maj. Heather Martin, JTF-Bravo command surgeon. “Not only are we providing critical resources to underserved communities. We are also providing our teams with opportunities to train in more austere locations through all phases of execution from predeployment to redeployment. It’s impossible to replicate stateside.”
By traveling to the proposed mission site, the team can experience firsthand the logistical challenges, assess operating conditions, and meet with local community leaders. This on-the-ground assessment allows JTF-Bravo to refine its plans, ensuring that every detail is considered, and every eventuality is prepared for.
"We're talking about a mission that involves 15 to 20 JTF-Bravo personnel, thousands of pounds of gear, and long distances through tough terrain," said Capt. Andrew Snyder, officer in charge at Army Forces Battalion medical detachment on Soto Cano. "We can't afford to overlook anything. Every element of the mission must be carefully planned and executed."
During each MEDRETE, JTF-Bravo provides preventative medicine, immunizations, lab work ups, optometry, pharmacy and other general care services to up to 1,000 individuals in need depending on the mission's scope.
Dr. Wilmer Amador, a liaison officer with the JTF-Bravo Medical Detachment, has been instrumental in planning these complex missions since they began in 1993. Over the years he has honed his skills in navigating the intricacies of international cooperation.
"Each MEDRETE is a unique challenge," Dr. Amador said. "We must consider not only logistical and tangible constraints but also social and cultural factors. In Costa Rica, for example, there is no military, which can affect how our personnel are perceived. We must be aware of and sensitive to these nuances to ensure the success of our mission."
By working closely with local community leaders, country teams from the U.S. Embassy, and Costa Rica's social security administration, the JTF-Bravo planning team can make the most informed decisions when it come to the when, why, and how of conducting MEDRETEs.
Talks to execute a MEDRETE in Costa Rica began in October of last year. Now, more than six months later, it is finally taking shape. As the JTF-Bravo medical team prepares to deploy to Turrialba, they are driven by a shared commitment to providing essential healthcare services to those in need.
Ultimately, the MEDRETE mission is a testament to JTF-Bravo's enduring presence in Central America and its dedication to building a stronger, more stable hemisphere. By providing critical medical care and training, JTF-Bravo is not only saving lives but also fostering a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect between nations.