MANILA, Philippines – U.S. Special Forces Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) out of Okinawa, Japan and Armed Forces of the Philippines Soldiers conducted medical evacuation hoist training, April 4, 2019, on Fort Magsaysay, Philippines, as part of Exercise Balikatan 2019.
Balikatan, which means “shoulder to shoulder” in Tagalog, highlights the long-standing relationship between the Philippines and U.S. and is aimed at strengthening relations, improving multinational and joint interoperability, and increasing partner nation capabilities.
Building on those foundations, U.S. and Philippine forces used UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopters from 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment out of Wahiawa, Hawaii to conduct training, showcasing alternative ways to evacuate injured personnel when ordinary means are not available.
This training is used in situations where a suitable landing zone is not available and calls for injured personnel to be lifted into the helicopter by the use of a hoist. A hoist is a mechanical device that is used in healthcare to transfer physically disabled individuals from one place or position to another. In the case of this training, this technique may be the only way for injured personnel to get the care they need.
“The importance of this training cannot be overstated,” said Staff Sgt. Sabastien, a U.S. Special Forces Soldier with 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne). “It is not just the hoist that makes this training unique; rather, is it the encompassing care that is given to the injured personnel throughout the process.”
“With our partner forces, we employ all aspects of Tactical Combat Casualty Care to include advanced skills, blood transfusion and casualty extraction,” said Sabastien. “It also shows the innovation, communication, and sense of community of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and allows everyone involved to develop crucial relationships and learn new skills.”
Training as they would in a real-world situation, the essence of this training, was echoed throughout the ranks of the joint force, as it could mean life or death for their brothers-in-arms.
“If we have those skills, training and equipment, I know that the lives of my men will be saved because if we can continue this training, we can get to places where helicopters can’t land. This gives us a way to get to our Soldiers and get them the help that they need,” said a major with the Philippine Joint Special Operations Group. “This is crucial to every aspect of our mission, and it will give us even more confidence when we fight on behalf of our country.”
No matter the environment or situation, the need to be able to work in unison, in trust and understanding is at the core of the decades-long partnership between the U.S. and the Philippines.
“We all understand that what we have built is more than just training and we will continue to work together to reinforce the bond between the local community, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and our international allies to solidify the confidence and mutual respect that we have for each other,” said Sabastien. “We all understand that at the end of the day that sustainable change comes from growing together.”
| Date Taken: | 04.04.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 04.13.2019 00:53 |
| Story ID: | 317819 |
| Location: | PH |
| Web Views: | 140 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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