Medical Evacuation

This field manual (FM) provides doctrine, as well as techniques and procedures for conducting medical evacuation and medical regulating operations. Medical evacuation encompasses both the evacuation of Soldiers from the point of injury (POI) or wounding to a medical treatment facility (MTF) staffed and equipped to provide essential care in theater and further evacuation from the theater to provide definitive, rehabilitative, and convalescent care in the continental United States (CONUS) and the movement of patients between MTFs or to staging facilities. Medical evacuation entails the provision of en route medical care; supports the joint health service support (JHSS) system; and links the continuum of care. In addition, it discusses the difference between medical evacuation and casualty evacuation (CASEVAC), as well as coordination requirements for and the use of nonmedical transportation assets to accomplish the CASEVAC mission. This publication is intended for use by medical commanders and their staffs, command surgeons, and nonmedical commanders involved in medical evacuation operations.


This book includes the following topics:


Chapter 1 OVERVIEW OF ARMY HEALTH SYSTEM OPERATIONS AND MEDICAL EVACUATION

Chapter 2 MEDICAL EVACUATION RESOURCES

Chapter 3 OPERATIONAL AND TACTICAL EVACUATION PLANNING

Chapter 4 ARMY MEDICAL EVACUATION

Chapter 5 MEDICAL EVACUATION IN SPECIFIC ENVIRONMENTS

Chapter 6 MEDICAL REGULATING

Appendix A GENEVA CONVENTIONS AND MEDICAL EVACUATIONS

Appendix B Legacy Units

Appendix C TACTICAL STANDING OPERATING PROCEDURES

Appendix D EXAMPLE OF THE MEDICAL EVACUATION PLAN AND OF THE OPERATIONS ORDER

Appendix E USE OF SMOKE AND OBSCURANTS IN MEDICAL EVACUATION OPERATIONS

Appendix F EVACUATION CAPABILITIES OF UNITED STATES FORCES

Appendix G SELECTION OF PATIENTS FOR AEROMEDICAL EVACUATION AND PATIENT CLASSIFICATION CODES AND PRECEDENCE

Appendix H TROOP LEADING PROCEDURES, PRECOMBAT CHECKS/PRECOMBAT INSPECTIONS, AND LEADER CHECKLISTS

Appendix I SAFETY ON THE BATTLEFIELD