and treatment. Evacuation within the COMMZ may be from patient sites to hospital,
from one hospital to another, or between air or rail terminals and hospitals. The unit may
be attached to a medical group.
7-13. AIR AMBULANCE OPERATIONS
a. Air ambulances are used as far forward as combat conditions permit,
including locations beyond the line of contact. The necessity of maintaining tactical
security and protection for the air ambulances and medical personnel must be
considered when selecting patient pickup sites. Air ambulances should be used only
when the landing area is reasonably secure from hostile fire. This may be defined in
practical terms as being sufficiently secure so that members of the unit requesting
patient pickup can stand up in the landing area, guide the approach of the air
ambulance, and load patients. The air ambulance unit must be notified if this degree of
security does not exist so they can take action as they deem necessary.
b. Aeromedical evacuation elements should be located and operated in a
manner that provides the quickest possible reaction to patients generated at the line of
contact. Maintenance, security, and communications should be prime considerations
when locating the helicopter aeromedical evacuation base of operations. The patient
destination from the point of pickup is based on patient needs, location and capabilities
of supporting medical facilities, efficiency of air ambulance operations, command
policies involving medical regulating, and recommendations of ground medical
personnel. In the absence of appropriate command guidance or when in-flight
emergencies or tactical considerations prevail, the air ambulance pilot will be the final
authority on the patient's destination.
c. Crewmembers of air ambulances must insure that all explosives are removed
from patients and that their personal firearms, if accompanying, are cleared prior to
loading the patients.
7-14. REQUESTING SERVICE
a. Individual missions are based upon requests from units requiring medical
support and upon reports from members of the medical air ambulance units operating in
the forward areas. Since the majority of requests for aeromedical evacuation originate
in the division, the basic concept of mission control is oriented on this requirement.
Mission control is given to the commander of the unit exercising operational control over
the air ambulance unit.
b. Mission requests are processed through the fastest and most reliable means
available. A sole-user channel is desirable for the expedient transmission of
aeromedical evacuation requests. Within their areas of responsibility, surgeons may
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