A Glimpse into Operation UNIFIER with Master Corporal Lindsay Lussier of 51e Ambulance de Campagne
March 21, 2024 - Defence Stories
Author: Captain Breanne Brezinski, Public Affairs Officer, Joint Task Force-Ukraine
Caption
Master Corporal Lindsay Lussier, Medical Assistant from 51e Ambulance de campagne, poses for a picture during Operation UNIFIER Rotation 16 as part of Joint Task Force – Medical Training Element in Poland.
Credit: MCpl Nicolas Alonso, Canadian Forces Combat Camera, Canadian Armed Forces Photo
“The Ukrainians are really resourceful. They are able to do a lot when they have little equipment,” said Master Corporal (MCpl) Lindsay Lussier, a Medical Assistant from 51e Ambulance de campagne in Montreal, Quebec.
MCpl Lussier recently completed a deployment at Operation (Op) UNIFIER’s Medical Training Element (MTE) in Poland. While deployed, MCpl Lussier taught Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) combat medics advanced tactical medical skills to bolster their ability to save lives on the battlefield.
“I gave theorical and practical lessons on military medicine,” explained MCpl Lussier. “I also supervised them while they completed various medical scenarios and provided feedback to improve their skills”.
While deployed, sharing knowledge was a two-way street for MCpl Lussier – she intends to teach her home unit some of the medical tips that she learned from the AFU members throughout the deployment. However, the medical tips are not the only aspect that MCpl Lussier will remember once back in Canada.
“I will also remember their courage and authenticity,” said MCpl Lussier. “Even with the hard situation they have been put in because of the invasion, they find a way to keep their sense of humour by not taking everything so seriously.”
Being an instructor at Op UNIFIER’s MTE was MCpl Lussier’s first deployment overseas. She previously participated in Op NANOOK (Canada’s signature northern operation to exercise the defence of Canada and secure our northern regions) and Op LENTUS (the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) response to natural disasters in Canada). As a reservist, MCpl Lussier balances her civilian career as a Registered Nurse with her army career.
“A Medical Assistant in the CAF is a nice mix of a nurse and a paramedic in a battlefield environment or in a clinic,” explained MCpl Lussier.
When in the field, Medical Assistants follow the infantry and participate in their drills and attacks. When in the clinic they examine and treat patients as they would on the civilian side.
“You are like any other solider but with a medical bag ready to go when needed.”
MCpl Lussier says that anyone interested in medicine and staying active in different environments should consider becoming a Medical Assistance when joining the CAF. However, she does caution that everyone should do their research before joining to find a trade that is the right fit for them as there are so many more than they may think.