CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – “We work a lot with U.S. forces,” said Capt. Samuel Camp of the British army. “It’s important we are tied into one another’s standard operating procedures.”
Medical Soldiers from the 145th Armor Regiment, 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team, joined soldiers from the British military’s 2nd Battalion, Mercian Regiment, for medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) training with Golf Company, 5-159 Aviation Regiment, at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Nov. 23.
The British soldiers were supporting Desert Warrior III, which would include operations on the ranges and live-fire training. Camp said it was important he and his team were prepared to respond to any emergency and ensure interoperability between the British and U.S. procedures and equipment.
They practiced a “DUSTOFF” (Dedicated Unhesitating Service To Our Fighting Forces) – an emergency evacuation of a casualty from a combat zone. They lifted a simulated patient on a gurney, carrying him toward the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and loading him inside.
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jose Diaz Lopez, the flight medic with 5-159 Aviation Regiment, coached the team on proper carrying techniques and how to approach and walk away from the helicopter safely.
“When we are called to respond to a nine-line, we will do everything we can to care for your patient,” said Diaz Lopez.
According to Diaz Lopez, the helicopter crew and critical care certified flight medics expect to be on the ground and depart no longer than 5 minutes, placing safety and urgency as priorities to get the patient to higher-level care.
The British and U.S. Soldiers shared some of the differences in their acronyms and discussed various procedures to signal a helicopter from the ground with panels and smoke.
“It’s always great to learn different methods and ways people do things,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Taylor Drayer, an Ohio National Guard medic in the 145th Armor Regiment. “We were able to compare litters and how they work with our helicopters.”
“We are in a very good position to conduct our live-fire exercises,” said Camp. “Everyone has been so supportive working with us.”