Combat engineers conduct air medical evacuation training

Photo By Sgt. Rodney Foliente | Combat engineers from 1st Platoon, Company E, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, attached to Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, practice offloading a patient during helicopter medical evacuation training at Camp Echo, March 6.  

DIWANIYAH, IRAQ

03.06.2009

Story by Sgt. Rodney Foliente 

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

CAMP ECHO, Iraq – The Soldiers yelled repeatedly to the medic, trying to be heard over the chaos. They described the wounds and first-line treatment of their patient. They ducked down and were escorted the remaining distance, loading their precious cargo on the helicopter that would take him to further treatment and safety ... had this not been a training event.

Combat Engineers from Company E, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, teamed with Co. C, 1st Squadron, 52nd Aviation Regt. conducted helicopter medical evacuation training at Camp Echo, March 6.

"This is absolutely great training. It gives [everyone involved] more confidence in knowing what to do and what to expect," said Sgt. Molly Reque, flight medic with Co. C, 1st Sqdn., 52nd Aviation Bn., based out of Fairbanks, Alaska, which she also calls home. "Every scenario is different but at least if you have that baseline training, you're more prepared. Practice, practice, practice is what makes it work."

The training allowed Soldiers to practice calling for medical support and taught them what the helicopter crews look for and what assistance they need to do their job as expeditiously as possible, said Reque.

"The last time I was deployed, I was a ground medic and I was out on convoys," said Reque. Her prior experience gives her more of an idea of what Soldiers typically go through.

"It's the opposite perspective from what I had the last time. It's a good feeling to be on this side, taking the casualties up to a higher level of care," continued Reque, who has been a medic for nearly six years. Using her experience, she trained the Soldiers on procedures that help the ground and air evacuation teams function more cohesively.

This was the first such training the MedEvac crew conducted with a convoy group. The combat engineers regularly go out on missions and carry the responsibility of ensuring that roads are clear of roadside bombs.

"We turned everything on, made it loud and windy with dust in your eyes," said Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Ten Eyck, combat engineer and 1st Platoon sergeant with 2nd Combined Arms Bn., 8th Inf. Regt., attached to the brigade's Special Troops Battalion. The Soldiers designated as casualties also received intravenous fluids from the ground medic, as well as first-line treatment for wounds prior to being transported to the helicopters.

"[The training] was more realistic so it's not just something they learned in a class, but something they did and experienced. Soldiers will learn more from natural consequences and experiences than they will in a classroom," continued Ten Eck, who comes from Toledo, Ohio.

He said building a working relationship with the MedEvac teams is something every unit should do. By knowing what each group is looking for and how they work, helps the casualties receive more immediate care, which could be the difference in saving life or limb. He also explained that the less time it takes to conduct the evacuation process, the less likelihood that the ground or air elements would face additional enemy threats.

"The engineers and the medical crew got together to figure out what works best to save lives," said Ten Eck. "This training benefitted both teams. We're on the road all the time and these guys are our guardian angels and now [everyone knows] exactly what to do if a situation occurs."

• Date Taken: 03.06.2009
• Date Posted: 03.10.2009 10:46
• Story ID: 30953
• Location: DIWANIYAH, IQ