MCGREGOR RANGE, N.M. — Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, continue to evaluate equipment and systems for the Army Network Integration Evaluation 14.1 at McGregor Range Complex, N.M., Nov. 9.
NIE 14.1 continues to provide a realistic and operational environment for soldiers to perform better on the battlefield. While the military provides soldiers with the equipment they need and the measures to evacuate soldiers in a medical emergency, NIE 14.1 focuses on the MEDEVAC helicopters and their structure.
The Forward Support Medical Evacuation platoon is designed to have three medical evacuation crews along with three HH-60 Pave Hawk MEDEVAC helicopters. The crews provide modern-medical-care treatment for soldiers from the evacuation site en-route to a medical treatment facility. Onboard systems include oxygen-generating systems, patient monitors and an external rescue hoist.
“We’ve been running 24-hour MEDEVAC coverage for the past two days to support the mission,” said 1st Lt. Travis Fielder, Forward Support Medevac Platoon leader.
With the Red Cross Insignia on the side of the HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter, crewmembers can focus on their patients while being escorted by other helicopters providing security support during the evacuation of casualties.
“When we receive the call for a MEDEVAC, we have 15 minutes to get off the ground en-route to that point of injury,” said Fielder.
As NIE 14.1 continues through mid-November, Fielder and his crew expect to use this training environment to their advantage to better prepare for emergency situations.