In cooperation with the Skaraborg Air Wing in Såtenäs, the capability to perform un-interrupted intensive care, from the deployment zone to hospital care in a secure rear area, has been developed. The method is based on joint crew interaction and technical equipment interfacing.
In the deployment zone, the Nordic Battlegroup Ambulance 301 is rolled into the cargo bay of a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft – the vehicle is secured for flight - electric power is connected from the aircraft – the flight is performed – the ambulance rolls off and takes the patient to the designated hospital.
During this entire transport chain the patient receives un-interrupted intensive care and never has to be transferred or moved out of the ambulance. The same medical crew will care for the patient during the entire transport.
In the large C-130 hangar building at the Skaraborg Wing ambulance crews are drilled by the Load Master to perform the special tasks required to quickly get the ambulance connected to the aircraft. Sergeant Ida Carlsson is the Crew Chief of one of the ambulances.
- We have flown with our ambulance in the C-130 during earlier exercises, but then only practiced our medical duties. Now we take an active part in the hook-up procedures in order to get the patient airborne as soon as possible, says Ida Carlsson.
There may be situations when it’s impossible for an ambulance to get to the patient. Nevertheless the patient quickly needs to get the right medical attention. Therefore the Battlegroup can also perform medical transports with helicopter. During the exercise, helicopter crews and medical personnel are working together with the loading and un-loading of patients. Helicopters are continuously landing and taking off, over and over again, until the correct routines become second nature.
- Cooperation between different units is a means for success. We have already estblished routines with the Croatian Helicopter Unit and during this exercise we have further interlaced our work methods with the Swedish Air Force, which has resulted in a flexible and available medical transport capability.
- Whatever the situation, all soldiers in the Battlegroup can feel comfortable that they will be taken care of in the best possible way, says Deputy Battalion Commander Major Mattias Söderberg.