MEDEVAC

Each CAB or combat aviation brigade has a MEDEVAC unit that is solely for the medical evacuation of not only soldiers, but of people in risk of life, limb, or eyesight. There are specially trained pilots, crew chiefs, and medics. I am the flight surgeon who overseas my small portion of the brigades MEDEVAC capability. Not all flight surgeons get to fly as much as I foresee that myself and MAJ Baumgartner will need to fly. It is a component of this job that makes it unique and amazing. I believe that it is one of the few medical care positions where you actually see what the foreward soldier is going through and exposed to. I am one of the few physicians who see the Point of Injury, who get them when there are no x-rays to tell you what is broken, and minimal vitals to lead you to the direction of how stable they are or not. Let alone, not being able to talk to them because of the noise of the aircraft.

We are attached to a infantry division and it is easy to forget sitting at protected FOB Shank that the majority of the the infantry is not roasty toasty on a FOB, but out forward in the dirt and grime, (Like Jay was, I am assuming). Being able to be involved in MEDEVAC makes me feel like I am involved and directly helping these guys. The reward is something that I have not ever felt. In many ways, I am more involved then many of these pilots, commanders, and big wigs. MEDEVAC is the primary link in the chain of saving soldiers lives. There are many important links like the general surgeons at the FST, the specialists at the Level III CSH, and all the transporters inbetween, but none of them see what I see on a MEDEVAC bird and that is why my job is awesome.