mechanized battalions must not be impeded. Air evacuation may be more practical for
relieving tank crews and aid stations of caring for sick, wounded, or injured patients.
4-21. MEDICAL PLATOON, ARMORED CAVALRY SQUADRON
a. Organization. The medical platoon of an armored cavalry squadron is
functionally organized and equipped like the medical platoon of a mechanized infantry
or tank battalion (Figure 4-3). It is organic to the headquarters and headquarters troop.
The organization is the same in both mechanized and armored divisions. It has
strength of 31.
b. Employment. Medical support in the armored cavalry squadron is similar to
that provided in tank battalions.
(1) The normal method of providing medical support to an armored cavalry
squadron is to place one aid-evacuation team and three aidmen in support of each
armored cavalry troop. Cavalry operations often prevent immediate treatment and
evacuation; therefore, an injured or wounded member may receive first aid from another
member of the crew and remain in the tank or other vehicle until placed in a pre-
designated location for evacuation to the squadron aid station.
(2) Unit level support for the air cavalry troop (see Figure 2-4) is provided by
troop aidmen from the medical platoon of the armored cavalry squadron who deploy
with designated platoons. Personnel injured when the troop is airborne may be
evacuated directly to an aid station, division treatment or hospital. Personnel wounded
or injured while the troop is engaged in ground operations are treated by platoon
aidmen and evacuated to the nearest available MTF.
4-22. MEDICAL SECTION, AIR CAVALRY SQUADRON
a. Organization. The air cavalry squadron is organic to the infantry, airborne,
and air assault divisions (Figure 2-4). The medical section of the headquarters provides
health service support and headquarters troop. The medical section consists of one
officer (lieutenant, MSC, medical operations assistant) and 18 to 21 enlisted men,
depending on the type division to which assigned. The section is equipped with three
Gama Goat ambulances. An aviation medical officer (captain, MC) is assigned to the
squadron staff, but also exercises technical and operational control of the section.
b. Employment
(1) Troop aidmen are attached to the air cavalry troops on the basis of three
per troop. These aidmen are normally located at the troop CP and provide aidman care
to personnel of the troop. When personnel are wounded or injured while the troop is
airborne, non-medical troop aircraft takes them to the nearest medical facility as soon
as the mission and tactical situation will permit. Personnel who become casualties
MD0002
4-23