Typically, each combat vehicle has a combat life saver who is trained in first aid. The next level of care is given by the evacuation and front line medics. From there, the patient is transported to the closest of these mobile medical vehicles, either the main aid station (MAS) or the forward aid station (FAS). This is the first point at which a soldier is seen by a medical officer (either Doc Schultz at the MAS or Lt Estrada at the FAS). | |||||||||
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The center photo shows one of our M577s from a slight birdseye view. If you look really closely, you'll see a medic waving from the track commander's (TC's) hatch. That big red cross tells the enemy where to aim (just kidding). The photo on the left shows the driver's hole (rather cramped, isn't it?). In the lower right corner of the same picture is where the TC stands while commanding the vehicle. The photo on the right gives you a view of the TC hatch from inside the vehicle. | |||||||||
The M113 This is our ambulance in the field. This armored personnel carrier can carry up to 4 litter patients, 10 ambulatory patients, or various combinations. This M113 is seen racing a patient to one of the aid stations. In the next picture, you get a look at one of our ambulance crews relaxing inside one of these vehicles. On the left, PFC Adrian Arriola is sitting on one of the litters; across from him is PV2 Kwanza Hopkins; and in the foreground is CPL Emmett Kawahara. |  | ||||||||
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 | Setting Up for Casualties On the left is a photo of our aid station when we are unable to occupy a space for very long (eg, we are in offensive maneuvers or expect enemy contact). We simply drop our ramp, set up our metal trauma chests, set up some litter stands, and mark the area for sorting patients. We can have this set up or tore down in less than 2 minutes. When we are able to occupy an area for a longer period (far removed from enemy threat), we set up a tent-like, TOC (tactical operations center) extension from the rear of the M577. The photo on the right shows a typical setup. |  | |||||||
The TOC Extension Here is a view looking into the TOC extension from the rear. You can see two sets of litter stands set up with the trauma chests underneath each. To the right is a view from the M577 ramp looking out the opening of the TOC extension. The center photo shows a closeup view of the TOC extension connected to the M577. In the foreground is one of our patients (obviously suffering from sleep deprivation). | |||||||||
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 | Air Evacuation In the event we are overwhelmed with patients and/or need more urgent transportation, we call for air evacuation. Here is a blackhawk helicopter coming in for a landing. I wonder why they call these "dustoff". The last photo shows the same helicopter taking off after picking up our patients. |  | |||||||