Editorial
Dear Reader,
The current political and geostrategic world order is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Certain nations, particularly Russia and China, are significantly shaping this development. As a result of these changes, a restriction in the previous globalization of economy and trade is foreseeable. National tariff restrictions, such as those imposed by the USA, further reinforce this trend. Without targeted countermeasures, these upheavals could sustainably impact existing structures of freedom and prosperity.
Despite decades of restraint, war is once again being used in Europe as a means to enforce political interests. Recent conflicts, such as in Ukraine, are marked by extreme brutality, intransigence, and the disregard for international law. Given the altered security landscape, it is necessary to adapt to these new realities. Strengthening capabilities for national and alliance defense, increasing crisis response capabilities, and enhancing civil protection must become more central to government efforts.
To this end, the German Medical Service set a significant milestone with the Combat Medical Care Conference (CMC Conference) in Blaubeuren on July 2 and 3, 2025. The international symposium on tactical casualty care targeted immediate first responders from both civilian and military sectors: Special Operations Forces Medics, paramedics, nursing professionals, as well as physicians. With approximately 1,400 participants from 44 countries, the CMC Conference 2025 was Europe‘s largest professional conference for tactical medicine outside the USA. By its seventh meeting, a powerful international communication platform has been established, which participants from various sectors use for experience exchange aimed at strengthening crisis resilience.
The CMC Conference 2025 in Blaubeuren was a dynamic, practice-oriented, and highly professional symposium. With workshops, lectures, realistic exercises, and innovative technologies, the conference offered a comprehensive program for professionals in tactical medicine. Practical exercises included care for severely injured individuals under simulated fire in the forest, as well as evacuation and blood management.
In this issue of the Military Medical Monthly, the essential content of the CMC Conference is presented in the form of concise abstracts. These include the main lectures as well as reports from the TEMS and SOF Medic Symposium. The editorial team thanks the organizers and all those who followed the presentations live and subsequently compiled them into short abstracts. The issue is supplemented by contributions from Meier and Klaubert on water supply in Ukraine and from Tannheimer and co-authors on simulation in high-altitude medicine. We hope to present you with the „state of the art“ in tactical medicine.
I wish you much enjoyment in reading and studying the contributions.
Horst Peter Becker
Editor-in-Chief of the Military Medical Monthly