Afghanistan: Indiana, Wyoming National Guard teams train together on new medical evacuation procedures

By Army Sgt. Kaitlyn Ashby
Combined Joint Task Force 1

KHOWST PROVINCE, Afghanistan (11/30/11) – Calling for air medical evacuation on the battlefield is a skill required before it’s needed.

For Indiana Guard members with the 4-19th Agribusiness Development Team and pilots from the Wyoming National Guard’s Company C, 5th Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment, training on Forward Operating Base Salerno, Nov. 18, honed their proficiency for medevacs.

“This training is not just specific to the ADT,” said Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Brandon Erdmann, a pilot with Company C from Laramie, Wyo. “It’s tailored for any unit in order to expose them to our medical procedures, capabilities and expectations to those on the ground. It also provides us the opportunity to maintain our proficiency level in our duties.”

The training outlined new medical evacuation procedures, day and night tactical scenarios, litter load procedures, and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter hoist operations.

Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Cory Hasik, the ADT’s senior medic, began coordinating the training with Erdmann in October.

“I want to increase our awareness and experience for additional familiarization with setting up [landing zones] and pulling security,” Hasik said. “My top priority is our [security forces]. They need to know what to look for and what to expect.”

To accomplish this, Hasik said the training increases their sense of knowledge about their battle buddies injuries and when a medical evacuation is needed.

“I thought it was cool to do something a little different,” said Army National Guard Sgt. Matthew Brummett, an infantryman with the ADT. “It’s good to break the monotony of the repetitious training.”