Unit conducts medevac training

Courtesy Photo | Soldiers with Bravo Company, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 163rd Infantry Regiment, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 310th Expeditionary Sustainment Command retreat from the medevac helicopter after loading a wounded soldier for medical evacuation during a training exercise on Contingency Operating Base Adder. (Photo by: Command Sgt. Maj. John Wood)  

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, IRAQ

04.25.2011

Courtesy Story

4th Sustainment Brigade

By: Spc. Spring Smith

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq - Soldiers with Company Bravo, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 163rd Infantry Regiment, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 310th Expeditionary Sustainment Command conducted medical evacuation training with Company Golf, 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Brigade.

The purpose of the training was to ensure that soldiers in both battalions are confident in executing the necessary steps to save the lives of their comrades as quickly as possible when and if disaster strikes.

Soldiers in Company B, simulated a convoy mission while driving down a back road on COB Adder. After using a smoke grenade to emulate an improvised explosive device alongside the road, the leadership told the soldiers who were injured, what injuries were sustained and whether or not the vehicles involved in the blast were operable.

The soldiers began the medevac process to get their comrades out of the hostile area. They set up a landing zone for the helicopter, called in their nine-line medevac request for medical transport to evacuate a casualty, and began administering basic first aid while communicating with Company G about estimated time of arrival, coordinates, etc.

“Having an aviation asset available made the training much more realistic,” said 1st Lt. Mathew Bartlett, a San Dimas, Calif., native. “It was cool to meet the pilots we will be working with. Also, the younger guys who have never worked with an aviation asset were pretty pumped.”

Sgt. Evan Baldwin, the team’s medic and a Missoula, Mont., native, shared the same feelings as Bartlett.

“It gave us a chance to freshen up our skills and practice those scenarios in the environment in which they will be needed,” Baldwin said. “The training was very helpful. I feel very confident in my team and our ability to accomplish the mission.”

Spc. Seth Pettit, a Plains, Mont., native, acted as a dismounted soldier for the training. He was responsible for helping the medic remove casualties from the vehicle, applying buddy aid, and helping Baldwin load casualties on and off the helicopter.

“I found the training very useful,” he said. “We have never had the chance to load and unload casualties on and off a [helicopter] before. The realistic aspect was very helpful too, such as using mine resistant ambush protected vehicles rather than Humvees and also practicing in this environment. This training definitely solidifies my confidence in my team’s ability to handle a situation like that.”

Each platoon within Company B will be conducting this training within the next couple of months.

• Date Taken: 04.25.2011
• Date Posted: 05.01.2011 08:30
• Story ID: 69652
• Location: CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, IQ