SOF combat casualty care is designed and structured to meet three important goals: manage CAX, prevent additional CAX, and complete the mission. In SOF combat casualty care, the management of CAX that occurs during combat operations is divided into three distinct phases, each with its own characteristics and limiting factors:
• Care under fire: The care rendered by the special operations warfighter, CLS, or special operations medic at the POI while they and CAX are still under effective hostile fire. Available medical equipment is limited to that carried by the individual warfighter, CLS, or special operations medic in their medical aid bag.
CLICK HERE TO REVIEW “CARE UNDER FIRE” IN DEPTH
• Tactical field care: The care rendered by the CLS/special operations medic once they and CAX are no longer under effective hostile fire. Tactical field care also applies to situations in which an injury has occurred, but there is no hostile fire. Available medical equipment is still limited to that carried into the field by medical personnel. Time to evacuation from the POI or other casualty evacuation point to an MTF may vary considerably, from a few minutes to many hours.
CLICK HERE TO REVIEW “TACTICAL FIELD CARE” IN DEPTH
• Combat CASEVAC care: The care rendered once CAX have been picked up by an aircraft, vehicle, or boat and transported to a higher level (echelon) of care. Additional medical personnel and equipment may have been pre-staged and made available at this stage of casualty management.
CLICK HERE TO REVIEW “COMBAT CASEVAC CARE” IN DEPTH
The force health protection (FHP) of SOF requires an enhanced medical capability to reduce preventable deaths and minimize effects from injuries. The following are some of the aspects that make SOF combat casualty care unique:
• The combat CAX may not be a U.S. military asset; in fact, the CAX may not be uniformed military at all. This is particularly true within the U.S. Army Special Forces operational environment where host nation personnel may be among the wounded.
• The special operations unit may be operating in remote, denied areas, far forward of any CF or supporting medical infrastructure; i.e., beyond normal logistical lines, with a limited and difficult resupply of essential medical items or evacuation capabilities.
• Evacuation time to an Echelon II MTF may be prolonged due to the mission, enemy, terrain and weather, troops and support available, time available, and civil considerations.
• Tactical considerations (clandestine or low-visibility operations) or the depth of penetration into the hostile environment by the special operations unit may make CASEVAC unfeasible.
• The priority focus of special operations air assets remain insertion, extraction, and resupply of special operations assets. Historically, CASEVAC missions have been “lifts of opportunity.”
The unique medical capabilities of SOF directly contribute to the likelihood of special operations mission accomplishment and force sustainment.
External link / source of Intel
THIS WEBSITE IS OWNED, MANAGED, & MODIFIED BY WARRIORCORPSMAN.COM. THE WARRIORCORPSMAN / C2MS LOGO IS OUR OWN DESIGN, AND DISTRUBUTION WITHOUT OUR CONCENT IS PROHIBITED. FOR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS, WE CAN BE REACHED THROUGH THE “CONTACT” PAGE. YOUR EMAIL AND INFORMATION WILL NOT BE DISTRIBUTED. WE RESPECT THE PRIVACY OF OUR VISITORS AND ALL INQUIRIES / SUGGESTIONS ARE WELCOME.