Joint MEDEVAC Training Provides ‘Medical 101’

Photo By Lt. Peter Lee | During a simulated medical evacuation scenario during a training exercise, soldiers from the 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team clear a landing zone as a UH-60 Black Hawk medevac helicopter assigned to Forward Support Medical Team Maimanah, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade prepares to take-off. The crew, along with a Norwegian paramedic, provided joint “Medical 101” training on Combat Outpost Qaisar with the U.S. Army 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.  

QAISAR, AFGHANISTAN

04.17.2011

Story by Ensign Peter Lee 

ISAF Regional Command North

QAISAR, Afghanistan – Two HH-60 Blackhawk helicopters from Forward Support Medical Team Maimanah, U.S. Army 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, flew into Combat Outpost Qaisar for a joint medical evacuation training with the U.S. Army 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, April 17.

The training, hosted by Norwegian and U.S. Army flight medics from FSMT Maimanah, emphasized the basics of medical evacuations and how first-responders can assist MEDEVAC air assets in case of a medical emergency.

“The intent of the training was not only to reinforce basic medical knowledge but also to highlight how the forward support medical team conducts business,” said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Jack Alley, a MEDEVAC pilot and officer-in-charge, FSMT Maimanah, 4th CAB.

The training not only provided an insight into MEDEVAC capabilities for ground forces but it also served as a learning tool for the FSMT.

“Everything we do is to improve patient care,” added Alley. “From reducing the time on the ground to improving communication with all parties involved, it’s our job to get the patient to the next level of care as soon as possible.”

FSMT Maimanah combines the efforts of Latvian, Norwegian and U.S. forces in order to provide rapid MEDEVAC capabilities throughout the Provincial Reconstruction Team Maimanah area of responsibility.

“We have grown together in order to provide better patient care,” commented Alley when asked about the joint cooperation between the three nations. “We are an integrated, expeditionary force that shares a high standard for MEDEVAC aviation capabilities. But without the unit cohesion and the support of our leaders and partners, we would not be as successful.”

The FSMT constantly trains both internally and with ground units in order to improve patient care, response time, coordination and medical aid throughout the region.

• Date Taken: 04.17.2011
• Date Posted: 04.20.2011 09:24
• Story ID: 69023
• Location: QAISAR, AF