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NATO Role 3 medical unit welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Sgt. 1st Class Theresa Gualdarama
  • 117th Mobile Public Affairs Unit
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  U.S. Navy Capt. Daniel Zinder became the new commander of the NATO Role 3 Multinational Medical Unit here during a change of command ceremony July 26. Zinder took the command from outgoing Capt. Bruce Meneley.

As Meneley relinquished his command responsibilities, his enlisted counterpart, Navy Command Master Chief Keith Staples, also relinquished his responsibilities to incoming Command Master Chief Jared Akers.

Since 2011, Meneley and Staples managed Role 3's remarkable 98 percent casualty survival rate with a coalition survival rate of 99 percent; an incredible percentage considering the hostile environment of southern Afghanistan.

"It has been an exceptional honor and privilege to have served those on the battlefield and with the Role 3 staff that provides the best care possible," said Meneley as reflected on his command time.

While under the leadership of Meneley and Staples, Role 3 provided care for more than 3,100 combat casualties and transported more than 60 critical patients with a nearly a 100 percent survival rate. The Role 3 staff also treated more than 8,350 outpatients and recorded more than 2,700 patient admissions.

During the past year, Role 3 staffers completed more than 105,000 lab studies, 10,000 reality studies, treated more than 2,500 dental patients, and filled more than 150,000 pharmacy prescriptions.

Meneley also established two fully-operational surgical teams equipped with more than $2 million of medical equipment.

Col. Bruce McVeigh, the commander of the 1st Medical Brigade, Task Force Medical - Afghanistan, praised Meneley during the ceremony.

"Like a true unsung hero, it was never about him, it was always about his people and his team," McVeigh said.

McVeigh said the unit was stronger and had improved during the past year.

"There is no doubt this team gave it their all each-and-every day caring for these Sailors and Soldiers while executing every mission and task at a high standards," McVeigh said.

It was a bittersweet moment for Meneley as he relinquished his command responsibilities.

"Although this has been an exceptionally challenging tour, being here has been the highlight of my career," Meneley said.

McVeigh said the medical unit is in capable hands.

"Captain Zinder is no stranger to leading medical units," McVeigh said, "He is the right leader to take the reins of this most impressive and precious asset at what is a critical time in the current fighting season."

Zinder was the commanding officer of Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune, N.C., from 2010-2012 before assuming command of NATO Role 3.

"There is no place I'd rather be today than right here, standing in front of you taking command of this incredible hospital and command of this task force," Zinder said.