RODRIGUEZ LIVE FIRE COMPLEX, Republic of Korea --
Corpsmen and Marines from the 3rd Medical Battalion participated in joint casualty evacuation training with combat medics from the U.S. Army's 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion, Sept. 13.
Landing support specialists from Landing Support Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 37, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, assisted in the evacuation by setting up the landing zone, communicating with the helicopter and directing it to land.
"During a casualty evacuation we also keep track of patients and personnel while helping the corpsmen load them (onto the aircraft)," said Cpl. Jeff Smith, platoon sergeant, Landing Support Company.
In the scenario, a simulated casualty was treated and transported to a helicopter pad for evacuation.
After the UH-60 Blackhawk from the Army's 3rd Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, set down on the improvised landing zone, the corpsmen and medics were given classes by the medic with the helicopter crew.
"We participated in classes about properly lifting a victim and the range of motion of the human body when maneuvering," said Petty Officer 2nd Class William Figueroa, hospital corpsman, Headquarters and Support Company, 3rd Medical Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd MLG. "We also learned what kind of obstacles to look for when approaching a helicopter, safety when operating around them and coordinating with the battalion aid station and the command operation center."
After the classes beside the Blackhawk, the medical personnel were able to practice loading and off-loading patients while the helicopter was running and then patient care while the helicopter was in flight.
"It gets real when the blades start spinning," Figueroa said. "We need to be able to operate safely with them over our heads."
For some, this training was a new experience; for others, it was valuable training because the body of the helicopter varies by model.
"We normally get to work with the CH-46 Sea Knights which have the entrance in the tail," Figueroa said. "So, it was good for us to get some experience with loading patients in the side of a Blackhawk."
The corpsmen and medics participating also gained valuable experience by practicing helicopter evacuations.
"It's helpful to practice this since helicopter training can be common in wartime," said Cpl. Sung Jong Lee, combat medic, Korean Augment to the U.S. Army, Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion. "This is much better training then just learning in a power point. I feel very confident after it."
This kind of operation is very critical, Smith said. If you don't know what you're doing, it can cost lives.
"This training can be used in any casualty evacuation," Figueroa commented. "Everyone did well and we were able to safely accomplish all our training."