SONSONATE, El Salvador – The 1/228th Aviation Regiment conducted a nine-line medical evacuation simulation May 18 here using UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to train on the procedures of recovering an injured soldier on the battlefield.
Sgt. Trevor Hogan, crew chief of the medevac aircraft, performs the pre-flight checks to ensure everything is ready when the pilot and the medic arrive.
“From the time we get the call,” Hogan said, “we are in the air in less than 15 minutes, no matter where we are or if we’re asleep.”
Hogan also assists the flight medic in any way he can during flight.
“Training like this is important to work out the kinks because there are a lot of elements involved in a MEDEVAC,” said Sgt. Joshua Trujillo, the flight medic on board. “It helps us find who needs training in what areas to make sure it runs smoothly with a real call.”
Hogan said his job offers him a great source of self-accomplishment.
“It’s great when you get a mission and you pick up a patient alive and drop them off alive,” Hogan said. “Because if you weren’t there to pick them up, that patient may not make it.”