Fog of War…
It’s been busy lately - real busy. In the MEDEVAC business, that’s an unfortunate situation.
I’ve written about the chaos that is associated with this situation, the business we are in, and the theatre we are in, but reviewing one of our latest “run sheets” - brings it all into perspective.
When we receive a call or MEDEVAC request, it’s in the form of what we call a “9 line.” The 9 line contains critical and succinct information that can form a picture of what we have, what we can expect, and where to find the patient. The information is condensed to 9 lines - so it takes minimal time to transmit on the radio and provides just enough detail to get us rolling.
The 9 lines contain the following information:
- Location of the patient = expressed in a military grid reference system (i.e. SM 4312 7863). In simple terms, the letters reflect the area within the battlefield and the numbers pinpoint the location within the area. Eight digit grids will pinpoint the person within 10 meters, ten digit grids will pinpoint the person within 1 meter. Obviously, ten digit grids are preferred - but we tend to get eight digit grids. Under night vision goggles, with the dust and low visibility = you need all the help you can get.
- Radio Frequency and Call Sign = this is the requesting unit’s name and frequency they are monitoring - so we can talk to them once we are inbound and while on the ground.
- Number of Patients and Precedence = this is the total number of people and what their categorization is - Urgent, Urgent Surgical, Priority, Routine and Convenience.
- Special Equipment Needed = things like the jaws-of-life for vehicular accidents, etc.
- Number of Patients by Type = Ambulatory or Litter (carried)
- Security of Landing Zone = Is the LZ secure to land in, or is it “hot” (i.e. bad guys present and still shooting).
- Method of Marking LZ = smoke, flare, light, mirror
- Patient Nationality = US, CF (Coalition Force), ISF (Iraqi Security Force), IP (Iraqi Police), IA (Iraqi Army), TCN (Third Country National), Contractor, or Enemy
- Terrain Description and NBC contamination = brief description of the area and whether there are chemical/biological/nuclear contaminants in the area.
So, to get back to last night’s run - we received the 9 line and alerted the crews. Within 1 minute of the alert, we received four different grids for the same incident. The range in distance, within the given grids, was 24 miles from the original grid to the fourth grid given.
Twenty four miles, simply won’t work. We typically won’t make it to the patient in time, before he expires.
Last night we were lucky, the crews did an excellent job deciphering the data, and establishing communication with the ground unit, all while enroute to the patient. They were able to quickly clear the inconsistencies, and visually find the accident.
It was a head-on vehicular accident between a flat-nosed semi truck, driven by a Third Country National Contractor and a US armored vehicle. The US soldiers were fine and unharmed.
Unfortunately, the contractor had gone through the windshield and suffered from multiple injuries (broken femurs, head, severed leg, severed toes, etc.). It did not appear that he was strapped in, or even wearing shoes.
When our team arrived on scene, the medics confirmed the worst. He was lifeless.
When I pulled him off of the Blackhawk with the Mortuary Affairs team, and unzipped the body bag, he was dry. Meaning, he had already bled-out before we arrived. The doctor pronounced him and conducted his inspection.
I said to the doctor, “he looks young.” One of the assistants pulled out his passport and sure enough, he was only 30 years old.
All of this great work, by an incredibly talented team - simply could not save him.
We will continue trying, everyday, until we leave this place.
Tim
As usual I begin my day with the Stoners. Thank you for this entry. Knowing what you do and how you do it only reinforces what a special man you are - actually a hero to many, I suspect. I have been wondering a couple of things, what kind of radius can you cover, and, do you have anyone imbedded with your unit?
Aunt 9 - December 2nd, 2007 at 7:55 amStay safe, God Bless, Love, 9
I too start the day with you and your family Tim. Our worlds at this point in time are so different and I must say mine for the most part is safe and tranquil (thanks to you and your men)…I can’t even imagine your world. I thank you everyday for your sacrifices and courage…you are my hero, truly. I love you and miss you Tim!
xoxoxoxo,
Suzy - December 2nd, 2007 at 10:05 am9,
I figured you would have enjoyed knowing there is something called a “9 line.”
We have a little over 2.5 hrs of fuel on board. So from a radius perspective, we can fly about 150 miles out (300 total) and return on a single “bag of gas.” We say “bag” instead of “tank.” Of course there are several things that affect your mileage: weight, winds, altitude, temperature.
Yes, we had a media embed from Colorado who stayed with us for several days last week. We should see something soon.
Take care,
tim - December 2nd, 2007 at 11:27 amTim
Tim, I think of you all the time. The patients are fortunate you are in charge. Love you. Stacy
Stacy Meyer - December 2nd, 2007 at 11:39 amFantastic post!
Your descriptions are so profound and help us understand your job better. I do know you will come back a significantly changed man after witnessing some dreadful moments.
We think about you, talk about you, laugh about you, pray for you daily. I think as soon as the holidays pass the time will fly. Someday, I am confident, we will look back on your absence as just a flicker in time.
Love you! Porter
tiffany - December 2nd, 2007 at 6:42 pmTim, this may be a question from left field but what is done with a TCN body? Is there an attempt to find family, etc? Best to you and yours and thank you for all you do.
TRowe
Tom Rowe - December 3rd, 2007 at 6:08 pmTim,
I am continually amazed at the work you and your teams perform. Precision in chaos, calm in a storm, compassion in a war.
What you and the rest of our troops do each day does not go unnoticed or unappreciated.
My best.
George Henry - December 4th, 2007 at 9:15 amTom,
Absolutely everything is done to return the TCN to the family. The passport and the prime contractor are what provides the traceability to notify the family. Over here it’s very critcial - since the tradtion is to begin the burial process within 24 hours. In non-Muslim countries, that can be extended.
Tim
tim - December 4th, 2007 at 10:58 amGeorge,
Great to hear from you!
The “compassion in war” trait is something that continues to grow and strengthen within me - the longer I’m here.
I was in a conversation with someone back in the US the other day who said, “why would you risk your life to pick up the injured enemy?” I said, “isn’t that still a human, isn’t that still a life, isn’t HE a father/brother/son/husband too?”
My focus is to not incorporate any political, religious, or global differences.
I provide EVERYONE the ability to receive medical attention, and live out the rest of their life - even if I have to face them - again - on the battlefield.
Tim
tim - December 4th, 2007 at 11:05 amIs this the crazy, comical boy I went to high school with?
Tim, I am amazed. And proud. And thankful.
You and your men truly are heroes.
Be safe,
Maggie
Maggie - December 5th, 2007 at 12:12 pmTim,
Been reading the blog most everyday for a few months now. It is good to hear you and Tiffany are managing as well as can be expected.
Look forward to you returning so you can take me golfing !!
George Henry - December 5th, 2007 at 5:00 pmTim- I don’t know if you’ve addressed this before, but how do you and your men de-stress after dealing with these types of situations? I realize that this type of run is probably a daily occurance over there, but surely you have some sort of positive outlet that can ‘lighten the emotional load’ to a certain degree.
Heather
Heather Hearne - December 6th, 2007 at 7:58 amHeather,
There is not much in the way of decompression - other than a workout, sleep, or through discussion. This campaign is not like other large ones before = there is no opportunity to simply have a beer with the guys and vent.
The final way you can decompress is to look forward to additional work - in the 24 x 7 x 365 business model that we maintain.
Tim
tim - December 6th, 2007 at 7:34 pm