NFTF - Class VIII Blood Supply Support to Current Operations for Medical Planners

This article discusses the challenges of providing class VIII blood and blood products to austere theaters of operation. In many of the austere locations the Army operates in, countries do not meet the medical standard that the U.S. requires. Therefore, perishable Class VIII items must be supplied and sustained in theater from the U.S. or U.S. approved stores such as the Armed Services Blood Bank Center - Europe (ASBBC-E). While this article focuses on the Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), the insights and information provided are pertinent to all theaters and should interest medical service corps planners across the Army.