(3) In the medical platoon of the air assault infantry battalion, the aid station
and evacuation section are combined, and there are no organic evacuation vehicles
assigned. This is because air evacuation by helicopters of the air ambulance company
is the normal, routine means of patient evacuation.
4-20. MEDICAL PLATOON, TANK BATTALION
a. Organization. The medical platoon of a tank battalion is organized and
equipped like the medical platoon of a mechanized infantry battalion (Figure 4-3).
Because there are only three-company aidmen, the total strength of the platoon
is only 22.
b. Employment. In addition to the scheme of employment discussed for
medical platoons in general, the following apply to the employment of the tank battalion
medical platoon:
(1) The medical platoon of a tank battalion is mobile and equipped to
provide support over an extended area. In the tank battalion, aid-evacuation teams and
company aidmen have been combined. In combat, medical personnel provide support
to tank companies on the basis of one aidman and one aid-evacuation team per
company. The remaining aid-evacuation teams may be used for the following:
(a) Reinforcement of the aid-evacuation team with another tank
company.
(b) Evacuation of patients from intermediate collecting points.
(c)
Retention at battalion aid station for use when required.
(2) Aid-evacuation teams follow closely behind supported tank companies.
When a casualty occurs within a tank, the aid-evacuation team, assisted by the tank
crew, removes the casualty from the tank and administers first aid. Under heavy fire,
self-aid or buddy aid performed by the surviving members of the tank crew must suffice
until an aid-evacuation team arrives. Patients may be evacuated to the battalion aid
station by the aid-evacuation team. In a rapidly--moving situation, an injured member of
a tank crew may remain in the tank until he is evacuated to a pre-designated collecting
point along the route of advance. Tracked ambulances or Gama Goats, organic to the
tank battalion medical platoon, are used for evacuating patients under field conditions
unsafe for other type ambulances. The company aidman normally remains near the
company CP, but he may be used elsewhere. The company aidman can be used to
direct aid-evacuation teams to collecting points where tank crews have left patients.
(3) In the armored and mechanized divisions, patient evacuation from the
Aid Posts to battalion aid stations, treatment stations, or CSH may be solely by
air. This is desirable in fast-moving situations, when the movement of tank and
MD0002
4-22
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