CALL No. 04-13: OIF CAAT II Initial Impressions Report - Health Service Support - Forward Litter Ambulance (FLA) Utilization on the Battlefield in OIF

CALL Newsletter 04-13
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
CAAT II Initial Impressions Report (IIR)

Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
CAAT II Initial Impressions Report (IIR)

Chapter 4: Combat Service Support
Topic F: Health Service Support

Subtopic 13: Forward Litter Ambulance (FLA) Utilization on the Battlefield in OIF

Observation Synopsis

During initial operations in OIF, armor and infantry units identified the need for mobile treatment platforms (vehicles) to accompany maneuver cordon and search urban operations. Maneuver units by MTOE possess traditional M577 command post carriers as a mobile treatment platform. However, this platform does not meet the operational requirements of the maneuver element. Initially, medical company assets within the FSB were misused as a treatment/mobile aid station. However, FLAs should be used only as an evacuation platform. Ultimately, the FSB coordinated with the division which augmented each FSB with additional corps FLAs to be used in a non-standard capacity.

Lessons Learned

Armor and infantry units identified the need for mobile treatment platforms to accompany cordon and search urban operations.
Maneuver units by MTOE possess traditional M577 command post carriers as a mobile treatment platform. However, this does not meet the operational requirements of the maneuver element.
FLAs can be used in a non-standard capacity to support the manuever unit mission on a "by-exception" basis.

DOTMLPF Implications

Doctrine: During combat operations, units may be authorized non-standard use of FLAs by maneuver units, provided they are not taken from internal medical company assets.