Anyone figure out a way to put a litter in a JLTV for CASEVAC?

2022-08-18T11:54:36-04:00

What is the best way to use a JLTV as a CASEVAC platform?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2022 5:12 PM

2022-08-18T17:12:15-04:00

Here's a thought, and it's really up to you to decide as the Med PSG, but it's a CASEVAC not a MEDEVAC, so you don't have to have a litter.

A CASEVAC platform doesn't have to have a litter to be capable of evacing patients, and you probably can't get a litter into one without modifying it or strapping them to the outside, which is something that was done back in OIF. Not a good choice though.

How many battlefield injuries absolutely need to be strapped down to a litter to be moved? Outside of falls, rollovers and motor vehicle accidents, not many others. Blast injuries and gun shot wounds can mostly be placed sitting up, except for the worst cases who probably need a MEDEVAC anyway.

That's my opinion, I believe you adapt the medicine to best fit the battlefield you're on. But you still have other bosses you have to satisfy as well.

Response by CSM William Everroad made Aug 19 at 2022 10:53 AM

2022-08-19T10:53:41-04:00

Check the MTOE, a HHC should have the ambulance JLTV variant authorized for MEDEVACs especially if they have a Role 1 BAS. If not, I recommend going through the process for a AEI substitution.

Otherwise you are stuck with the experience of SFC Private RallyPoint Member, which mirrors my own. Several vehicles in inventory have no "doctrine" way of equipping a loaded litter in the TM, mainly because it wasn't in the capability specs when it was designed. Creatively transporting a litter patient that has to be immobilized can be dangerous. Thats why we have smart medics to make the snap decision of time vs escalating care (METC). If the treating medic is not thinking through that, we have a problem.

I found it was often much quicker, easier, and safer to just call in the airlift or a proper MEDEVAC. I can think of very few instances where it was imperative that we CASEVAC, but I would certainly entertain hypotheticals.