Courtesy Photo | Specialist Jennifer Goodwin, a flight medic from the 2-501st General Support Aviation...... read more read more
By Capt. Kylen Mays
5th Armored Brigade, Division West
McGREGOR RANGE, N.M. – Trainers from Division West’s 5th Armored Brigade sharpened their lifesaving skills here recently with soldiers of 1st Armored Division’s 2-501st General Support Aviation Battalion in an air medical evacuation exercise.
The 5th Armored Brigade soldiers of Task Force Redhawk who normally serve as observer controller/trainers of Reserve Component soldiers called to active duty were now honing and evaluating their own skills in dealing with rapid evacuation of simulated wounded.
“Today’s exercise allowed each of [us] in the task force to better understand how to utilize air MEDEVAC assets in case of real-world injury,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jason Jenschke of Detachment C, TF Redhawk.
Redhawk soldiers became familiar with the capabilities of the HH-60 MEDEVAC Black Hawk aircraft, and learned how to properly interact with flight crews while transporting patients. Equipment familiarization was only part of the training. They also were required to complete three separate exercises involving calling in a 9-line MEDEVAC request and safely loading the simulated injured onto the helicopter.
“Getting to work with the aircraft provided us the chance to demonstrate that we can safely and successfully take care of injured soldiers in a real-world scenario,” said Sgt. 1st Class James Turton, of TF Redhawk’s Detachment B.
The flight crew – led by Chief Warrant Officer Charles Westerbeck – performed training missions that displayed obvious teamwork and also provided the necessary training. Both units were given missions and scenarios that best simulate actual potential MEDEVAC situations, while the 1st Armored Division soldiers provided their valuable experience in illustrating to Redhawk soldiers how to work with aircraft support.
“The flight crew’s enthusiasm, knowledge and support allowed us to overcome our mistakes and ensure that each soldier came away with confidence in utilizing air MEDEVAC assets,” said Capt. Lynda Jo Cobb, Detachment B, Task Force Redhawk.
“Integrating air assets into training scenarios is always challenging to coordinate,” said Maj. Lawrence Guszkowski, TF Redhawk executive officer. “However, by actually having the aircraft present, the soldiers benefit as they can train realistically and develop the confidence needed to work with aircraft and flight crews.”
| Date Taken: | 10.19.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 10.19.2012 15:18 |
| Story ID: | 96474 |
| Location: | MCGREGOR RANGE, NEW MEXICO, US |
| Web Views: | 129 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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