Philippine Army launches its first-ever air ambulance

The Philippine Army has launched its first-ever air ambulance manned by a critical care aeromedical team.

A team composed of military doctors, nurses, pilots, and their crew led the simulation at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City on March 21.

The simulation was highlighted by the roundtrip flight of the Army Aviation Regiment’s reconfigured Bolkow helicopter from the Army Support Command open field to the Hunters-ROTC Parade Grounds.

“Caring for our soldiers, from difficult and austere environments to higher levels of care, is now possible due to the continued advancements in military medicine and dedication of the Philippine Army to turn the Aeromedical Evacuation Capability into reality,” Army chief nurse Colonel Maria Victoria Juan said.

Juan emphasized that evacuation is crucial because around 90% of combat fatalities occur before wounded troops are transported to the nearest hospital.

She added that aerial medical evacuation is the fastest way to transport a combat casualty from the injury site to the nearest hospital.

“We are developing the Army’s casualty evacuation because the life of each soldier counts. Even if we save only one life through this capability, it is already worth it,” Philippine Army chief Lieutenant General Romeo Brawner Jr. said in his remarks following the simulation.

“This will boost the morale of our troops on the ground because they know that help is readily available in case anything happens while they are accomplishing their mission,” he said.

Brawner said that the command is eyeing additional air ambulances as part of the army’s capabilities. — VBL, GMA News