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Casualty evacuation in the Green Zone, Helmand Province
An infantry patrol has been in contact with the enemy and a casualty needs to be evacuated from the battle zone. He has been carried on a lightweight emergency stretcher hammock to a suitable place for a helicopter landing site (HLS), and is being treated by the patrol’s CMT (Combat Medical Technician, known as ‘the medic’) from the Close Support Medical Regiment. He is identifiable by the large scissors carried in the front of his body armour. He is aided by riflemen, one of whom holds up the bag of intravenous fluid. All the soldiers had had basic battlefield casualty medical training.
A MISTAT report has been radioed to their base conveying the specific medical information that can change the prioritisation of evacuation and enhance the equipment brought to the casualty. The Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT) at Camp Bastion rushed to board an RAF Chinook helicopter, which has flown to the pick-up site, accompanied by two Apache helicopters to protect it from enemy fire. During the flight, the team have hastily laid out their surgical instruments ready to treat the casualty. As the Chinook lands in a cloud of thick dust, four Gunners of the RAF Regiment fan out to cover the rear half of the Chinook; one of them stays close to give protection to the Medical Officer of the MERT who is rushing to confer with the CMT. He carries the MISTAT report in his hand. The Loadmaster stands on the ramp to observe the operation and convey information to the pilot.
Shortly, the casualty will be stretchered up the ramp and laid on the floor of the Chinook to have his wounds treated as quickly as possible, while the helicopter takes off to fly to the Medical Treatment Facility at Camp Bastion.
If firing was still going on when the helicopter arrived the casualty evacuation was known as a ‘hot extraction.’ The artist flew with the MERT to bring in a casualty from a fire-fight, and has detailed knowledge of the procedure.
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Printed image size(s): B2 (58 x 38 cm) or B3 (52 x 36 cm)
Owner: Army & Navy Club, Pall Mall, London
Price(s): £70
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