U.S. Army Capt. Jonathan Naber, a medical evacuation pilot, assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 149th General Support Aviation Brigade, Medical Evacuation Company, based out of Okla. and Texas, conducts pilot in command prefligh... VIEW ORIGINAL
PAKTIKA PROVINCE, Afghanistan " Medical personnel assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, Task Force "Golden Dragons," 2/10 Security Forces Assistance Brigade, and medical personne... VIEW ORIGINAL
PAKTIKA PROVINCE, Afghanistan " Medical personnel assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, Task Force "Golden Dragons," 2/10 Security Forces Assistance Brigade, participate in a week... VIEW ORIGINAL
PAKTIKA PROVINCE, Afghanistan " Medical personnel assigned to the 933rd, Forward Surgical Team, based out of Paduca, Ky., and flight medics assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 149th General Support Aviation Brigade, Medical Evac... VIEW ORIGINAL
Responsible for providing medical coverage to the eastern Paktika province, medical personnel assigned to the "Golden Dragons," have combined their skill sets with medical personnel assigned to the 933rd, Forward Surgical Team, based out of Paduca, Ky., to co-locate an FST-plus care facility.
"We are collocated with the 933rd FST, together we provide basic levels of treatment to more advanced trauma care," said Maj. Michael McCown, the battalion surgeon, assigned to the "Golden Dragons."
Medical capabilities include sick call, day-to-day medical needs, minor laboratory procedures, general anaesthesia, trauma care and patient holding areas.
Providing a third level of coverage to FOB Orgun-E's medical treatment resources are Soldiers assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion,149th, General Support Aviation Brigade, Medical Evacuation Company, based out of Okla. and Texas. These Soldiers provide evacuation assistance platforms from point of injury to higher levels of care.
"We're tied to a radio for days but when you hear medevac, medevac, medevac broadcasted, your heart rate goes up instantly and you rush out the door," said Capt. Jonathan Naber, a medical evacuation pilot, assigned to 2-149th.
Medical evacuation platforms consist of the utility helicopter 60 "Blackhawks," which are equipped with life saving equipment and manned by flight medical personnel.
"The aircraft is pre-packaged with all the life saving equipment needed to stabilize a patient," said Naber. "Flight medics are on board ready to monitor and stabilize patients using heart rate monitors, suction machines and ventilators, if necessary. These medics are trained to handle any complications that may arise during the transport."
With reaction times of 15 minutes or less to the point of injury, Soldiers and war fighters on the battlefield near Orgun-E can focus on their mission, knowing help is only minutes away.
"You talk to a ground guy who is going out on a four-day-mission and he has this robust medical coverage; just knowing that we can be there in 15 minutes gives them a lot of confidence," said Naber. "They are more willing to do what they need to do, and are less reserved, which is a good thing especially with a ground element."
While executing missions, Soldiers in eastern Paktika province may experience atypical situations. However, if they do, the medical treatment facilities on FOB Orgun-E are one abnormal combination they can really appreciate.
"It's not the 'norm,' we are very lucky to have the FST and medevac collocated with us," said McCown. "They are a medical asset that is used to bring life saving skills to trauma patients as far forward as possible. These combinations function as a force multiplier, enabling Soldiers and war fighters to accomplish their objectives."
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