Army to increase medevac capabilities

In this file photo, Soldiers carry a simulated casualty to a medical evacuation helicopter. Lt. Gen. James D. Thurman, Army G3, told members of the Association of the U.S. Army at their annual aviation symposium that the Army would increase aircraft in medevac companies from 12 to 15. Photo: Sgt. Matthew C. Cooley.

Army to increase medevac support, add new CAB, more UAVs
Jan 7, 2010
By By J.D. Leipold

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Jan. 7, 2010) -- The Army's top operations officer said yesterday that not only will the Army add a new combat aviation brigade to the warfight, it will also increase the number of aircraft in medical evacuation companies.

Speaking at the annual Association of the U.S. Army Aviation Symposium and Exhibition here, Lt. Gen. James D. Thurman, G-3/5/7, told members and contractors that no force-wide transformational change to the aviation force was more important or consequential than the decision to increase aircraft in medevac companies from 12 to 15.

"We've got to get our men and women off the battlefield - that's non-negotiable," Thurman said. "This demonstrates the Army's resolve and commitment to troops in combat operations as well as their families and loved ones."

"We've also added nine additional medevac companies to the reserve component," said Thurman, who also formerly served as director of the Army Aviation Task Force.

"The Army will aggressively grow this strategic capability in order to improve air medical evacuation in combat," he said. "The priority will be Afghanistan with the first transformed 15-ship company arriving late spring 2010."

In other AUSA sessions announcements about a new combat aviation brigade and increased UAV capabilities were also made.