Tricky Business: British Forces at War
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04 December 2011
The call sign for British medical evacuation helicopters is “Tricky.” Tricky is constantly involved with medical evacuations in Afghanistan. Their methods vary significantly from ours. For that matter, US Army, Air Force and Marine methods vary dramatically from one another.
The underlying American philosophy for conventional troops is to scoop up casualties and get them back to the hospital, ideally while highly trained medics go to work.
US Special Operations Forces often bring their own surgeons. Likewise, the British use Chinook helicopters with surgical crews who can push blood and start doctor-level work right there in the bird.
There are ups and downs to the British versus conventional US Army, Air Force, and Marine ideas. At times, the British way of showing up in a faster-flying helicopter with a surgical crew can be superior to the US conventional forces. Other times, the British way is inferior to all.
For instance, in many (probably most) cases in Helmand province, Dustoff and especially Pedro can have the patient inside the bird and possibly back at the hospital before Tricky even launches. There is much nuance and circumstance to the ground realities. The factors are myriad and dynamic.
As the months unfold you’ll likely see mention of “Tricky” on many occasions, and so this is a good time to introduce these outstanding British troops.
In this video, a Tricky pilot gets shot in the head, and in true warrior spirit he stays on mission.
(This video was shot at Camp Bastion, the same base where I embedded with Air Force Pedro.)
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Comments
He should be celebrating surviving, not worrying about what could have been.
But again, great report. I hope he sticks with it. Having the balls to report from Afghanistan instead of London is a good start.
The French have the same approach as the British and when Diana was injured in Paris, she was treated by a doctor on the scene for 40 minutes before being transported -- slowly, at the doctor's request -- to the hospital. Some have speculated that she may have been saved if she had been taken directly to hospital.
A full report was on the The Guild of Air Pilots & Air Navigators site when Flt Lt Fortune was awarded...
Quote:
We all need to see this to see what these guys go thru on a daily basis. Unbelievable!
Thank you for sharing!
For an interview and to see how close the bullet was, the beeb has coverage here; http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10263713 Since it was filmed he has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and deservedly so I think we can all agree.
Brilliant line! Perhaps sums up best the stoicism of some of the lads (and ladies, natch) out there.
British forces brought in Ryder Cup Captain , Colin Montgomerie, with the actual Ryder Cup throught Afghanistan just a couple weeks ago.
We truly are exceptionally blessed to have such a capable, willing, and professional ally as we do in Great Britain.
Link to Colin's visit:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/8924376/Colin-Montgomerie-hails-life-changing-experience-after-Afghanistan-morale-boosting-mission-with-Ryder-Cup.html
Eight rounds into a Chinook and he he acts like he just went thru a major battle..
AFAIK this was the first time he has been in a war zone and shot at, so can be afforded a little latitude. Especially as he wasn't a gibbering wreck whilst in his first contact; only deflated after the coming off the adrenaline high.
It was really helpful to solve my confusion.
Occupational Medicine
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