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The MASH unit was conceived by Michael E. DeBakey and other surgical consultants as the "mobile auxiliary surgical hospital". It was an alternative to the system of portable surgical hospitals, field hospitals, and general hospitals used during World War II . It was designed to get experienced personnel closer to the front, so that the wounded could be treated sooner and with greater success. Casualties were first treated at the point of injury through buddy aid, then routed through a Battalion aid station for emergency stabilizing surgery, and finally routed to the MASH for the most extensive treatment. This proved to be highly successful; it was noted that during the Korean War, a seriously wounded soldier that made it to a MASH unit alive had a 97% chance of survival once he received treatment.
MASH units continued to serve in various conflicts including The Vietnam War . In March, 1991, the 159th MASH of the Louisiana Army National Guard operated in Iraq in support of the 3rd Armored Division during Operation Desert Storm.
The last MASH unit was decomissioned on February 16, 2006: 212th MASH , based in Miesau Ammo Depot, Germany. The 212th MASH was the first US Army hospital established in Iraq in 2003, supporting coalition forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom. It was the most decorated combat hospital in the US Army, with 28 Battle Streamers on the organizational colors. The 212th MASH was deployed to Pakistan to support the Earthquake Relief Operations . Its equipment was donated to Pakistan. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS
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