An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Feb. 6, 2025

Oregon Guard Combat Medics Test Drone Delivery of Supplies

By Maj. Wayne Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs Office

WARRENTON, Ore. - Combat medics with the Oregon National Guard are adapting their battlefield medicine skills for large-scale combat operations through innovative training, including drone-delivered medical supplies at Camp Rilea.

The 249th Regional Training Institute medical detachment conducted its annual 68W Combat Medic sustainment course Jan. 23-31, incorporating unmanned aerial systems for the first time during the culminating field training exercise.

“We’re transitioning from the way we did combat in the global war on terror,” said Sgt. 1st Class John Lee, noncommissioned officer in charge at the 249th RTI medical detachment. “We’re not going to always have medevac one hour away. We might have to travel to it or use ground transport to get to an ambulance exchange point before we can get the casualty to a higher level of care.”

The course included classroom instruction, medical trauma lanes, testing and a field training exercise. This year’s training featured a partnership with Legionair Tactical, using their specialized drones for medical supply delivery.

“It goes about 40 miles an hour at cruise speed. You can carry about 10 pounds, and it runs roughly about 35 minutes,” said Travis Petete, co-founder and managing director of Legionair Tactical. “So you’re going about 25 miles, which allows us to deliver medical supplies wherever they’re needed in the field.”

Combat medics must recertify every two years, making realistic training crucial for maintaining lifesaving skills. The course begins with fundamental medical principles before progressing to more complex scenarios.

“We start at the basic level and work our way back up, improving their skills,” Lee said. “There’s no telling how much hands-on medicine they might have done in those two years, so we need to knock the rust off.”

Course instructors create high-stress scenarios that mirror battlefield conditions, challenging medics to make critical decisions under pressure. The training emphasizes the importance of adaptability and resourcefulness in austere environments where traditional medical evacuation methods may be compromised.

”We train as we fight,” Lee explained. “The medics need to deal with the consequences of their decisions in real time. If they make mistakes, it might cause further harm to the casualty, and they need to fix it.”

The training incorporated a state-of-the-art casualty simulator providing real-time medical intervention feedback. The remote-controlled simulator features realistic breathing, pulse points and arterial bleeding, allowing instructors to create high-fidelity trauma scenarios. 

”This technology lets us monitor the effectiveness of tourniquet application, wound care, and other critical battlefield medical procedures,” Lee said.

The evolving curriculum reflects the military’s shift toward preparing for near-peer conflicts where immediate medical evacuation might not be possible. The integration of drone technology represents an innovative approach to addressing these emerging challenges in battlefield medicine.

The program also focused on building team cohesion, as successful casualty care in tactical environments requires a coordinated effort. 

 

 

Related Articles
A Vietnam veteran renders a salute from his wheelchair as he passes through the honor corridor at the Medford Airport, Medford, Ore., May 4, 2025. Oregon Army National Guard soldiers and Patriot Guard Riders formed the corridor to welcome veterans returning from an Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C., where they visited military memorials honoring their service.
Oregon National Guard Soldiers Welcome Veterans Home from Honor Flight
By Maj. Wayne Clyne, | May 6, 2025
MEDFORD, Ore. – Soldiers from the Oregon Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment formed up at the Medford Airport on May 4 to welcome home veterans returning from an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. The...

An infantryman and an engineer range safety detonate a claymore mine from a crater position during demolitions training at Yakima Training Center, Wash., March 31, 2025. Soldiers from the 741st Brigade Engineer Battalion conducted the demolitions range for infantry units, providing hands-on experience with explosive devices that may be encountered during the upcoming Horn of Africa deployment.
Oregon National Guard Trains for Horn of Africa Mission
By Maj. Wayne Clyne, | April 14, 2025
YAKIMA TRAINING CENTER, Wash. – "Claymore, Claymore, Claymore!" The warning echoes across the demolition range seconds before a deafening "whoomp" sends a cloud of smoke and debris skyward. Soldiers rise from behind cover,...

In the chilly, dusty morning at Fort Irwin, California, aka the “Sandbox,” March 11, 2025, four Oregon Army National Guard CH-47F “Chinook
Oregon Army Guard Provides Lift for Army Futures Command
By Aaron Perkins, | March 25, 2025
FORT IRWIN, Calif. - On a chilly and dusty morning at Fort Irwin, aka the “Sandbox,” four Oregon Army National Guard CH-47F Chinook helicopters are loaded up with Soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division’s Combat Aviation...