BATTALION AID STATION The battalion aid station is the central location that all casualties are taken to before any type of evacuation. Medical staff personnel are the only personnel qualified in determining whether a casualty must be evacuated (commonly referred to by the term

MEDEVACed). Other functions of the battalion aid station are to give further first aid, check for continued hemorrhage, rebandage where needed, and apply

splints if needed. Seriously wounded casualties are given supportive therapy for shock in the form of plasma and serum albumen in preparation of a MEDEVAC. Once the medical staff has determined the priority of the casualties requiring a MEDEVAC and those not expected to survive the flight, the COC is contacted and sends a MEDEVAC request to higher authority. It is recommended that the chaplin is available for those not expected to survive.

SECURITY

Once the MEDEVAC request has been sent to higher authority, the COC will quickly activate the security team. The security team (React Force) is responsible for securing the LZ, establishing communication, landing, and assisting the loading of the helicopter. Also controlled by the security team is the staging area for those requiring MEDVAC. A member of the security team is established as a "Pit Boss" that will control the litter bearers and all movement of the wounded to the LZ.

Securing the LZ Weapons and personnel required to secure an LZ are dictated by the size and terrain of the LZ. A 360-degree perimeter must be established around the LZ. All likely avenues of approach and sectors of fire must be covered. Helicopter pilots will not land if they feel the LZ is not properly secured.

Establishing Communication Simultaneously, communication personnel assigned to the security team will establish communication at the landing site. It is important that communication personnel know the proper mission frequency for contacting the pilot and keeping in contact with the COC. The type of communication equipment needed depends on the terrain of the LZ. Usually, two PRC 119As that are equipped with a AS-3683 10-foot whip antenna are used. Two radios are required because communication must be maintained with both the pilot and the COC.

Casualties Once the LZ has been secured, casualties are transported from the battalion aid station to the landing point by any means necessary. The casualties are arranged in priorities and according to the capacity of the helicopter.

When en route to the LZ, the helicopter pilot should inform the communicator at the LZ of the capacity of the helicopter and if a corpsman is onboard the helicopter. For example, the pilot will inform the communicator that the helicopter has room for three litters and one walk-on. The medical staff will then arrange the casualties in that order. Casualties must be tagged with their name, rank, SSN, unit, and type of injuries. All loose articles of clothing, such as 782 gear, are removed from the casualties.

Landing and Loading the Helicopter

Once the pilot has acknowledged the location of the LZ by means discussed previously in this chapter, landing signalman enlisted signals are used to land the helicopter. Only one person is designated as the landing signalman. Once the helicopter has landed and a representative disembarks the aircraft, the landing signalman directs the representative to the senior medical staff personnel in charge. The helicopter representative will coordinate with the medical staff representative on how the casualties are to be loaded on the aircraft. Once all the casualties have been MEDEVACed, the COC will send a SALUTE and WIA (or Casualty CASREP) report to higher headquarters.

SUMMARY Evacuation by helicopter is the ideal evacuation method. This type of evacuation is usually available day or night. However, helicopters should be used with discretion as their number is usually limited and they draw enemy fire when observed. The individual Seabee should be taught basic first aid and, if wounded, to remain calm. If the wound is minor, a buddy should apply a battle dressing and continue to deliver fire until the action lessens. The ability of a buddy to give first aid depends on the tactical situation. Properly establishing an LZ and mutes to the LZ from the BAS is important to any MEDEVAC plan. Pilots are just as concerned for their safety as you are about your troops safety. Remember, proper setup and control of MEDEVAC procedures are critical and will ensure that the individual Seabee will be back to build and fight another day.