JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., - The Missouri National Guard announces the addition of a medical evacuation unit, benefiting overseas contingency operations during deployment and Missourians at home, in addition to stimulating economic activity in the region of the state where the unit will be based.
Currently, four sites are being considered for placement due to their capability to support the medevac unit and accompanying Black Hawk helicopters: Jefferson City, Fort Leonard Wood, Springfield and Whiteman Air Force Base.
“The success of the Missouri National Guard has allowed us to gain this additional force structure,” said Brig. Gen. Stephen L. Danner, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard. “This new medical evacuation unit will expand the capabilities of the Missouri National Guard both on deployments and here in Missouri.”
Financial impact from the addition includes nearly $1 million for approximately 30 traditional Soldiers who will serve the Army aviation unit and more than $2 million for flight training hours. There will also be around five full-time positions created because of this unit. Additional economic activity will be generated from fuel fees, said Lt. Col. Mark McLemore, commander of the 35th Combat Aviation Brigade and Missouri Guard State Aviation Officer, emphasizing the unit will further make certain the Missouri National Guard is ready to serve the state and country when called upon.
McLemore said the state will receive three UH-60 aircraft in fiscal year 2011 with a total cost of approximately $13.5 million.
“The Black Hawks will have rescue hoist capability and have flight medics on board that can provide medical care while en route to medical care facilities. This will greatly enhance our ability to provide support to Soldiers in support of Overseas Contingency Operations and provide a greatly enhanced capability in the event of state emergencies,” McLemore said.
Already, Missouri Guard Soldiers are well trained to take on medevac missions, said Maj. Josh Hudgens, commander of Army Aviation Flight Activity in Springfield.
Hudgens said all of his flight facility instructors are subject-matter experts in the use of a hoist, having trained extensively over the past 18 months. Each member of the Springfield-area crew has 20-25 years of experience in medical evacuations, in part due to civilian work and in part due to military training and practical application, the latter shown during rescue operations in Louisiana for Hurricane Katrina.
“There are many advantages to using a hoist,” said Hudgens of lowering a paramedic from an airborne, idling Black Hawk to those who need assistance below. “Traditionally, the crew chief operates the hoist from the helicopter while the paramedic rides the hoist to a wounded or trapped individual so as to administer aid on the ground.”
Missourians requiring rescue from a hiking mishap in rugged terrain or from natural disaster such as flooding or earthquake will be well served by the state medevac unit, adds Hudgens.
“The benefit is definitely the availability of en route care for a mass casualty event,” he said. But you can also rescue an individual from the roof of a house.”
Already a multi-state hub for repair of military, rotary-wing aircraft, the Missouri Guard’s Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot in Springfield will provide maintenance support for the additional Black Hawk helicopters, said McLemore, which will add to that region’s economic activity.
The site chosen for the unit’s home can also expect revenue based on traffic counts. Each time an aircraft lands or takes-off from an airport with an operational control tower the facility receives credit and funds for the maneuver.