SECTION VI
LEVEL
ONE COMBAT HEALTH SUPPORT (CHS)
FOR
THE LIGHT INFANTRY DELIBERATE ATTACK (cont)
The following is a sample mission analysis, course of action development, concept of support sketch, synchronization matrix, sample packing list, and phases of combat casualty care.
MISSION ANALYSIS
Specified Tasks:
- Provide level one CHS to line companies during deliberate attack.
- Provide CHS on objective during consolidation/reorganization.
- Coordinate for additional litter bearer support.
Implied Tasks:
- Provide CHS at the breach site.
- Coordinate for additional non-standard CASEVAC vehicles.
- Coordinate for Class VII push package No. 3: IVs, field dressings, abdominal dressings, and cravats.
Essential Tasks:
- Treat/stabilize casualties forward of the LD/LC through the objective area.
- Rapidly evacuate casualties by ground/air.
Constraints: Conduct dismounted treatment team operation for this mission.
Critical Facts/Assumptions:
1. Facts:
- Platoon has conducted four dismounted treatment team exercises.
- BAS is at 90-percent strength.
- FSMC has attached one reinforcing treatment team.
- Each infantry platoon has one Skedco litter.
- Each squad has one poleless litter.
- Combat medics/lifesavers received Class VII resupply this morning.
- FM communication is available to both treatment teams for both mounted/dismounted operations.
- Armor team has one M113 ambulance.
- Received 15 litter bearers from FSB, 20 from HHC.
- One UH-60L on standby to slingload attached treatment team as required.
- Platoons have one infrared chemlight to mark each soldier if required.
- Three M998 cargo vehicles and three 5-ton vehicles on standby at combat trains.
- Ambulances drivers are proficient in mounted land navigation and are familiar with evacuation routes.
- Each treatment team has a Global Positioning System (GPS).
2. Assumptions:
- Dismounted treatment teams can carry enough ClassVIII to support casualty estimate.
- Sappers will clear a ground evacuation route following Bravo and Charlie companies infiltration lane.
- Litterbearers can move casualties from Alpha Company to CCPs near B/C Company infiltration lane.
- Air MEDEVAC will fly forward of the LD/LC.
- Communications with FSMC will work.
- Alpha company requires support of a dismounted treatment team due to terrain, vegetation, and noise/light discipline requirements.
COURSE OF ACTION DEVELOPMENT:
- Analyze enemy/friendly arrayal of forces.
- Determine CHS forces necessary to support. Determine areas of patient density, lines of patient drift, and best location of CHS assets.
CONCEPT OF SUPPORT: A narrative description of how the unit will accomplish the commander's intent. Addresses times/locations where decisive actions may occur and finally arrays the CHS forces.
The
battalion aid station will conduct split-team operations. Treatment Team One
(TT1) with the PA 1LT Smith will support Alpha Company with a dismounted treatment
team on infiltration route Porsche. TT1 links up with A company battle position
not later than 1400. Sixteen litterbearers from HHC will move with A company.
Each litter team will carry additional ClassVIII to include six IVs, 30 cravats,
six Sam splints, 30 field dressings, and 10 abdominal dressings. Each medic
will carry his M-5 aid bag. The PA will carry the platoon packing list for
dismounted operations (see Figure 2). Medics provide treatment on site, mark
casualties, and continue forward. Medics remain at CCP until litterbearers
arrive. Litterbearers move casualties to CCPs/LZs as required. HLZs are located
at Grid AB 123456, AB 123234, and AB 123567. TT1 links up with TT2 on Objective
Lee for consolidation/reorganization. TT2 and eight litterbearers link up with
C Company at their battle position at 1400. Medics provide treatment, call
for CASEVAC; ground ambulances are located one phase line behind move forward
to acquire casualty, evacuate to AXP 1. Medical platoon leader controls ambulances
and non-standard vehicles and remains one phase line behind the line company.
Eight litterbearers link up with B company at their battle position at 1400.
Litterbearers move casualties to CCPs located on C Co infiltration lane.
The following list is developed based upon experience here at the JRTC while units conduct CHS for the light infantry attack. These lists are developed as a guide and may require adjustment based on METT T.
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Trauma bag: Additional medical supplies carried by someone other than medical personnel on the dismounted treatment team mission.
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Figure
3. Concept of Support Sketch
Figure
4. CHS Concept of Support Matrix
NCO ACTIONS FOR DISMOUNTED TREATMENT TEAM OPERATIONS
Prior to the start of the operation, NCOs will find that they have a number of tasks to accomplish to prepare treatment teams for employment. The pre-combat inspections (PCIs) may be tailored to the individual platoon and mission. Tasks with asterisks must be trained prior to deployment.
- Individual equipment: Are all required items present? Are they serviceable?
- Aid bags/resupply chests: Are they packed IAW the packing list? Are they complete? Are there expired medications?
- Maps: Are overlays present? Are locations of CCPs, HLZs, primary/alternate evacuation routes and AXPs plotted? Are measures in place to guard against compromise? Are the mines/obstacles plotted on a map?
- Route Reconnaissance: Is there a plan to reconnoiter routes by ground/air/map? Are soldiers familiar with the route?
- Actions on contact: What is the battle drill for reaction to direct fire/indirect fire, convoy ambush?
- Coordination with supported unit 1SG: Has this been accomplished, and by whom? Have responsibilities been identified? What support can the 1SG provide? Is he familiar with the treatment team's capability?
- Training of litterbearers: Have they received training on the different types of litter carries? Do they know how to make an improvised litter? Do they know where to take casualties? Who controls their actions? Are they physically fit to perform these duties?
- Integration of reinforcing FSMC treatment team: Have they worked with the aid station before? Are they familiar with the mission? Do they have all the necessary equipment? Do they have communications capability? What is their chain of command?
- Medical Skills: Are soldiers proficient for their particular skill level? *
- GPSs: Do soldiers know how to use them, and do they have enough batteries? *
- Establish LZ/MEDEVAC operations: Do soldiers know how to set up an LZ? Do they know how to use hand-and-arm signals? Do they know how to send a nine-line MEDEVAC request? Do they know how to load/unload patients? Do they know how to mark the LZ at night? *
- Slingload operations: Do soldiers know how to perform sling load operations? Do they have the appropriate air items? Have they conducted hookup training at night? Do they have an SOP for slingloading a treatment team with personnel and equipment forward? *
- Communications:
What
type of radios are available? Are soldiers able to use them proficiently? Do
they know how to program frequency IDs? Who carries the radio during dismounted
OP? Do they have squad radios to communicate with the supported unit? Can they
coordinate with the Signal Officer to use one? Do soldiers know how to use
the ANCD?
*Most important
CONCLUSIONS
The ability to successfully support the deliberate attack requires a thorough mission analysis, terrain analysis, highly trained medics, and a thorough CHS estimate. The planner must thoroughly understand the risks associated with deploying these teams forward. The advantages must outweigh the disadvantages. Leaders must work hard to minimize the risks through realistic training and the development of sound battle drills. The terrain/mission may dictate the use of dismounted treatment teams in the future, and it may be too late to successfully accomplish the mission. Failure to provide the best CHS possible may result in the needless loss of American soldiers.
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1Butler, Frank K.; Butler, E. George; Hagmann, John: Tactical Combat Casualty Care in Special Operations. Military Medicine, 1996; 161:3-16.
2Ibid., 3-16.
Table
of Contents
Section
VI: Level One CHS for the Light Infantry Deliberate Attack
Acknowledgements
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