Air Force Special Operations Command has a new course to better familiarize pararescue and paramedic airmen with the world of casualty evacuation, and it includes the use of two “human-simulator” mannequins with computerized sensors that react to treatment. The first two-week course began May 15 at Hurlburt Field, Fla., with five Air Force Reserve Command individual duty medical technicians from the 920th Rescue Wing, Patrick AFB, Fla. According to MSgt. Daniel Arnold, superintendent of AFSOC medevac operations, the mannequins “breathe, bleed, blink, urinate, tear, drool, and secrete fluid from their ears.” If the trainees provide the right treatment, such as giving them epinephrine during cardiac arrest, the mannequins improve; if not, they don’t.
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.