RICHMOND, Ky. – Soldiers of the 617th Military Police Company, Rear Detachment, conducted casualty evacuation training on Bluegrass Army Depot Aug. 12.
A UH-60 Black Hawk crew from Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 147th Aviation Air Assault, joined in the training to aid in the simulation of transporting the “injured” to a hospital after Soldiers rendered first aid.
“We are training the next generation to win our wars,” said Sgt. 1st Class Bradford K. Stone, 617th Military Police Rear Detachment. “Field medicine is an important part of evaluating casualties and treating trauma.”
Maj. Jessica Miller, brigade training officer, 63rd Theatre Aviation Brigade Headquarters and Headquarters Company, spoke about the differences in casualty evacuation and medical evacuation.
“Right now, it is really important that the helicopter crew chief and pilots explain the differences between MEDEVAC (medical evacuation) and CASEVAC (casualty evacuation),” said Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Raby, readiness noncommissioned officer with the 617. “It is important that they come out of this knowing that with a CASEVAC, we don’t have a hoist, we can’t load a litter and we don’t have a medic onboard.”
Soldiers in the 24-person rear detachment took turns pulling security duty around the landing site, rendering first aid to simulated injuries, sending medical evacuation requests over the radio, and loading into the helicopter before taking off to circle the training area.
“I want to build up my confidence with the radio communications and learn to work better with the team,” said Pfc. Nathan York.
Also present for the training were Chaplain (MAJ) Joshua Stine, acting 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade chaplain, and 2nd Lt. Joshua Gorczyca, chaplain candidate from the 198th Military Police.
“It’s about being there for them and checking in,” said Gorczyca, emphasizing the importance the Chaplain Corps places on being present and meeting Soldiers where they are.