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HMM-161 fights for lives in Iraq
Submitted by: 3d Marine Aircraft Wing
Story Identification Number: 20044107552
Story by Sgt. Nathan K. LaForte
AL TAQADDUM AIR BASE, Iraq (April 10, 2004) -- The two weary but light-hearted crew chiefs lounged around in the CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter that is referred to as a "Phrog."
They were in "alert 30" status - meaning that if a call came, the helicopter would be in the air in under 30 minutes.
One of the chiefs casually looked out the window to see their other pilot beating feet towards the chopper at breakneck speed. They just got a call for a casualty evacuation, or CASEVAC.
They put on their game faces - this is their duty here.
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., is flying CASEVAC missions into the heart of the Sunni Triangle's most dangerous places for the singular purpose of pulling their wounded brethren out of the fire.
Since the squadron's arrival in Iraq less than two months ago, they have wasted no time in performing all the missions required of a "Phrog" squadron, according to Staff Sgt. Michael A. Miller, CH-46E crew chief, HMM-161.
"Our main mission is to support military operations here," he said. "With that, we conduct troop and (very important people) transport, cargo lift, but our primary purpose is CASEVAC."
The Martinez, Calif., native said the squadron's "alert 30" stand-by procedure is a self-imposed alert status to make sure they can get the quickest response time to the wounded Marines.
"We are set up to be in the air in 30 minutes, but we're usually in the air within 10 minutes," he noted. "Within a half-hour we have them on the plane and to the hospital within an hour."
CASEVAC injuries are usually of a serious nature, claimed Petty Officer 2nd Class Corey A. Munshower, CASEVAC corpsman, HMM-161.
"We respond to injuries that threaten life, limb or eyesight," the Raleigh, N.C., native explained. "These are considered priority (and) are usually trauma resulting from (improvised explosive devices) or gunshot wounds."
The first step is to determine the severity of the wound and if the injury rates helicopter retrieval, he described. The next step is to determine which of the two types of retrievals is necessary.
"A (medical evacuation) is bringing a casualty from a secured location to a hospital," he declared. "A CASEVAC is lifting someone from the front lines to wherever they need to go to get treatment."
The Army and the Marine Corps are working with their specific equipment to perform each of these missions, the 26-year-old noted.
The Army is conducting MEDEVAC missions, because their helicopters are set up specifically for those missions.
The Navy corpsmen jump on one of the "Phrogs," which boast two .50 caliber machine-guns and are able to land in an unsecured landing zone while protecting itself from enemy attackers to perform CASEVAC missions.
The squadron has had about three pick-ups per day but has seen a rise in the level of wounded Marines due to the recent upheavals in the cities of Al Ramadi, Fallujah and Baghdad.
Aside from the obvious difficulties resulting from enemy fire, there are inherent problems associated with the missions, Munshower stated. Stress and miscommunication add to these problems.
"Sometimes people are stressed and they don't see everything or (don't) react correctly," he said. "Most times, my initial reaction is to wonder if everything the initial care providers passed to me was correct."
Sometimes, the patient's friends and brothers-in-arms compound problems by not letting go, he added.
"It's tough. You'll see a huge group of guys carry someone onto the helicopter," he revealed. "They are just trying to help, but you have to be stern and tell them they need to leave. At the same time, you have to have compassion and realize that the person is their brother."
These inevitable problems can be dealt with and things will hopefully turn out for the best, claimed Miller. The crew works hard to protect their corpsmen and the corpsmen work hard to save the Marines, he added.
"The other day a crew picked up a patient that they revived three times," the 28-year-old said. "It's rewarding to save a life. It's our job and why we're here."
Munshower agreed this is the only reward he needs.
"Every time we find out a patient is okay, it's the best reward," he said. "Sometimes you don't find out, but when you do, it's the best we can ask for." -30-
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