Infantrymen take to the sky during medevac training in Kosovo

Photo By Master Sgt. Thomas Duval | Two Infantrymen assigned to the 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division dangle more than 50 feet in the air from a hoist during medevac training March 14, on Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo. The Soldiers who are based out of Fort Carson, Colorado, conducted multiple hot and cold patient litter loading and unloading exercises and capped off the training with advanced techniques such as hoist and jungle penetrator training. U.S. and NATO forces have contributed to the United Nations-mandated peacekeeping mission in Kosovo since June 1999. (U.S. Army photo by: Staff Sgt. Thomas Duval, Multinational Battle Group-East Public Affairs)  

CAMP BONDSTEEL, KOSOVO

03.15.2016

Story by Staff Sgt. Thomas Duval  

KFOR Regional Command East

CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo - U.S. Army Infantrymen are known for their combat prowess. Whether they are kicking in doors or exchanging fire with the enemy, they have the reputation of being trained and proficient warfighters.

But what happens if a Soldier gets seriously injured and goes down? What if two or even three Soldiers get stranded high in the mountains?

Thanks to a developing partnership with helicopter crews of the Arizona National Guard’s 5-159th Air Ambulance, Detachment D, and Infantrymen from the 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, operating as Task Force Stalwart, can now answer that question.

The Soldiers of Task Force Stalwart conducted basic and advanced medevac training March 14, at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo. During the training, the Soldiers focused on hot and cold load procedures as well as advanced hoist and jungle penetrator training.

“In the event that we ever need to use helicopters for a medevac, we want our Soldiers to fully understand how to use them,” said Capt. Alex Bowling, Alpha Company, 1-41st Inf. Regt., commander.

With the Infantrymen surrounded by various mountain ranges and a climate that fluctuates from cool and dry to cold and drizzly, the team is susceptible to a wide range of possible injuries. In many cases, understanding how and when to call in a medevac could be the difference between life and death.

More serious injuries could also need a higher echelon of care, which would dramatically reduce the Soldiers window for possible lifesaving treatment. This means the Soldiers must be able to perform their medevac duties without hesitation and more importantly with confidence.

“This [training] is huge for our guys’ confidence. We know if something happens to our medic or if we are on patrol and need to call in a medevac, these guys know exactly what needs to be done to get picked up,” said Bowling.

Confidence was key for many of the Soldiers as the training required them to be hoisted and dangled by a rope more than 50 feet in the air.

One of the Soldiers whose confidence benefitted greatly from the training was Pfc. Johnri Banaag, who originally had reservations about the training.

“I’m normally pretty afraid of heights,” said Banaag. “At first I was pretty nervous about going in the air. I felt like the rope would break, but once I got up there all the fears just went away… I was pretty hyped.”

Additionally, the training showed Banaag and his battle buddies they can rely on one another.

“I’m confident with my team,” he said. “When things get bad I know I can trust my guys to call a medevac. When it comes down to it I know my guys will do the job properly.”

With the team at the beginning of a nine-month deployment in support of peace in Kosovo, Bowling and Banaag hope they never have to use the training, but proved they are ready, if the time comes, to take their training from the ground to the sky.

• Date Taken: 03.15.2016
• Date Posted: 03.15.2016 11:49
• Story ID: 192413
• Location: CAMP BONDSTEEL, ZZ
• Hometown: FORT CARSON, CO, US
• Hometown: PHOENIX, AZ, US