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Dispatches from Afghanistan

Medical Response: At the Tip of the Scalpel

By Madonna Walsh, Boeing Defence UK Communications

Back to Dispatches from Afghanistan

One of the most important missions of the UK's Joint Helicopter Force Afghanistan is casualty evacuation, more commonly known as casevac. Two teams are involved in casevac missions: the Immediate Response Team (IRT), which flies Chinooks to where the casualties are and the Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT) comprised of a doctor, two paramedics and a nurse who provide medical care as a part of the missions. Both teams must respond at a moment's notice.

A loadmaster stands by as the Chinook he s on makes its approach to Camp Bastion in the Helmand province. (Neg#: MSF09-0077-12.jpg)
A loadmaster stands by as the Chinook he's on makes its approach to Camp Bastion in the Helmand province. (Madonna Walsh photo)
"The Immediate Response Team based at Camp Bastion flies Chinooks in and out of difficult situations night and day, through all types of weather conditions to all types of austere locations, often in very dangerous conditions," said Royal Air Force (RAF) Squadron Leader Johnny Priest. "Apaches provide assistance when the situation calls for it, which it often does. Our job is to get in, get the casualty and then get out again as quickly as possible."

Once a casualty is on board, the MERT team evaluates the patient and radios ahead to the waiting hospital team.

"For casualty evacuation, we're often flying into very hot [dangerous] areas and the Chinook has the maneuverability and capability that we need to get in and out of there," said RAF Flight Lt. Andy Smith, a MERT paramedic.

Members of the Royal Air Force Immediate Response Team at Camp Bastion. (Neg#: MSF09-0077-13)
Members of the Royal Air Force Immediate Response Team at Camp Bastion. (Madonna Walsh photo)

These casevac missions are definitely a coalition effort. Maj. Susana Fernandez, a Royal Australian Air Force Chinook pilot, explained, "Time is of the essence. And it doesn't matter if you're an Australian Chinook flying alongside a British Apache or a Dutch Apache with an American Chinook. We all speak the same language and we all know what's at stake here."

Anthony Kehoe, Surgeon Commander Royal Navy observed that: "The chain of survival has many links. The most important is the first aid the injured receives while on the ground. From there, they are evacuated to a safe distance and must receive good treatment during their evacuation. That's where the MERT team comes in."

The IRT and MERT treat any injured person, including the enemy. It's a team effort that saves many lives. The team on the ground secures the landing zone while Apaches provide protection from the air, as hospital staff prepares for the incoming wounded.

"Over the last two or three years the IRT and MERT have been helping us produce phenomenal results," continued Kehoe. "We must maintain that capability, not only in Afghanistan, but for future operations. I think it will be a very important part of doctrine for the foreseeable future."