MEDEVAC unit trains Coalition forces on procedures

Courtesy Photo | Kazakhstan army soldiers load a litter into a Co. C, 1-126th Aviation Regiment, MEDEVAC helicopter during training May 5 at Forward Operating Base Delta. (Courtesy photo)  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

05.27.2008

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Mills 

3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division

By Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Mills
3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, Public Affairs Office

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq – Problems that arise during aero-medical evacuation missions can seriously endanger the life of a patient.

With that in mind, Company C, 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment, a National Guard MEDEVAC company from Bangor, Maine, currently deployed to Tallil Airbase, has been training units on MEDEVAC procedures to ensure the safety of patients they transport.

"Training like this is vital whether it be in a war zone or back home on (annual training)," said 1st Lt. Karl Chandler, forward support medical team leader, Co. C, 1-126th Avn. Regt. "Anyone, from coalition forces to civilian (emergency medical technicians) and law enforcement personnel can benefit from our MEDEVAC 101 curriculum."

The training teaches everything from calling in MEDEVAC support, to selecting, preparing, marking and securing the landing zone for helicopters

"They get the basics on our real estate requirements for one or two birds to land safely," Chandler said.

The training also covers litter loading and movement procedures.

"The course doesn't focus on medical procedures but how to load and carry a litter patient (and) how to approach aircraft," said Chandler, from Old Town, Maine.

The training covers safe and danger areas, how to move around the aircraft, leading a litter team, how a litter is loaded onto a carousel in the aircraft, aircraft configurations, litter exchange procedures and medical resupply.

In early May, Company C Soldiers trained members of the Kazakhstan army at Forward Operating Base Delta, Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Justin Anderson, a flight medic with Co. C, 1-126th Avn. Regt., said the Kazakhstani soldiers were eager to learn.

"It went really well, they were really receptive," said Anderson, from Troy, Maine.

Anderson said they ran the Kazakhstani soldiers through "dry runs," loading and unloading litters with the helicopter shut down, before starting the aircraft and going through the drills again.

"They were really excited to learn," said Spc. Timothy McClary, Company C flight medic.

Working around the running aircraft adds a flavor of reality to the drills, said Spec. Timothy McClary, Company C flight medic.

"They're used to the noise, learning with the blades turning," said McClary, a native of Belgrade, Maine.

Adapting to the distractions of a running helicopter helps the ground forces slow down and get the procedure right the first time, rather than panic and make mistakes that could ultimately slow down the process.

Anderson believes this training will benefit all parties involved during future MEDEVAC missions.

"The more the guys on the ground know what we expect, the easier it is to execute the mission," he said.

Chandler recommends any ground force commander, U.S. or coalition, schedule this type of training with their local MEDEVAC.

"Any flight medic and his or her crew can run someone through this block of training,"Chandler said. "It will give the ground Soldier more confidence in knowing how we can help them in their time of need."

• Date Taken: 05.27.2008
• Date Posted: 05.28.2008 05:34
• Story ID: 19864
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ