Pararescuemen with the 46th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, have begun carrying units of blood with them on rescue missions for the first time since the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom. The reason, they said, is that USAF rescue units are performing casualty evacuation more often and are treating wounded troops who would benefit from the blood. Already on Nov. 30, this made a difference in the life of a marine critically wounded by an improvised explosive device. The PJs administered packed red blood cells in order to keep the marine alive as they transported him to a hospital. “If it wasn’t for the blood, we may have lost the life of a marine that day,” said SSgt. George Reed, a 46th ERQS pararescueman who was part of the crew that day. (Kandahar report by SrA. Melissa B. White)
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.