Is U.S. Army's MEDEVAC policy killing our wounded soldiers?

SPC  Chazray Clark
(1987-2011)

If you do not follow the dispatches of Michael Yon (independent combat journalist), you must. Mr. Yon offers a unique and valuable inside look at the dangers American soldiers face every day, previously in Iraq and now in Afghanistan. His photographs of missions with our soldiers are heartbreaking and compelling.

The mainstream media has forgotten our armed forces around the world. Mr. Yon has not. It's refreshing to read the dispatches of a journalist who is pro-soldier. I like and respect that.

Mr. Yon has been reporting about the disastrous U.S. Army Dustoff MEDEVAC ("Dustoffs) policy and procedures. Because the Dustoffs carry the Red Cross symbol, the helicopters are not allowed to be armed pursuant to the Geneva Convention. They must be accompanied by an Apache attack helicopter. If all Apaches are on mission and unavailable, then the Dustoffs cannot rescue our wounded soldiers - they must stay grounded, waiting for an escort. This significantly contributed - if not caused - the death of SPC Chazray Clark (24) on September 18, 2011, in Afghanistan. In an IED explosion, Mr. Clark lost both legs and an arm. Although medics on the ground had Mr. Clark stabilized, it took 69 minutes from time of injury until he arrived at the Kandahar Airfield Hospital. While Mr. Clark's death is horrible enough, he was awake and talking while waiting for his rescue helicopter. I cannot even comprehend what this young man's final hour was like.... It's unspeakable. 

The Army's Dustoff policies and procedures must be changed. Why? (1) U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine rescue helicopters do not carry the Red Cross symbol and are properly armed. Their response time is quicker (and safer) because they do not have to wait for an escort. (2) There were Air Force Pedros available at Kandahar Airfield, but the Army didn't allow them to assist. Sort of a "we'll take care of  'our' own" policy. (3) The atrocities of the Taliban and al-Qaeda have been reported extensively. Our helicopters with the Red Cross symbol are just additional targets. And, not surprisingly, the Taliban and al-Qaeda are not parties of the Geneva Convention so they certainly are not going to abide by those rules of engagement.

Please help, by contacting the President and your congressmen and tell them the Dustoffs policies and procedures must be changed. Our soldiers should not pay for the price for their outdated, bureaucractic policies. Not only should American be united, our armed forces should be as well. Let's save lives.

For assistance in contacting your elected governmental officials, go to: http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml.


http://www.michaelyon-online.com/red-air-americas-medevac-failure.htm (10/12/11)
http://www.michaelyon-online.com/golden-seconds.htm# (10/24/11)
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57362374/did-military-rules-cost-a-soldier-his-life/?tag=mncol%3Blst%3B1 (with clips from Mr. Yon's video on site) (1/19/12).
http://www.michaelyon-online.com/military-professionals-discussing-the-medevac-dilemma-armed-or-escorted.htm# (7/18/12)
http://www.michaelyon-online.com/deadly-delays.htm (7/19/12)