Army Black Hawks descend on Grissom, train for life-saving deployment Published April 30, 2012 By Tech. Sgt. Mark R. W. Orders-Woempner 434th ARW Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Only a cool breeze could be heard gently rustling through the trees as it swept over the farms and fields of North-Central Indiana, until a noise in the distance cut through the silence of the spring of the air. Whop, whop, whop, whop, whop... The noise grew louder and closer as tiny black dots on the Hoosier horizon rapidly transformed into 12 Army National Guard helicopters cutting through the sky like a scene pulled straight from a Hollywood blockbuster, but this was no movie. The UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from the 2-238th General Support Aviation Battalion, Medical Evacuation Unit made their way from Shelbyville, Ind., and Lexington, Ky., on their way to Grissom earlier this year for two weeks of intensive pre-deployment training. "We'll be heading to Southwest Asia in the fall," said Maj. Bryon Blohm, 2-238th commander, during a press conference here April 18. "We're really excited to be at Grissom and use the wonderful facilities here." As their unit names suggests, the primary mission of the 2-238th MEDEVAC is aeromedical evacuation; however they can perform other medical-related missions such as search and rescue and the transport of medical personnel and supplies. The Black Hawk entered service with the Army in 1979 and has since replaced the UH-1 Huey. With a max speed of 160 mph and a range of over 320 miles, the aircraft are well-suited for aeromedical evacuation, a mission where speed is life, said Capt. Aaron Fletcher, 2-238th Black Hawk pilot. "Once we get a call, we are supposed to be in the air in less than 15 minutes," explained Fletcher. "But, our goal is 10, and we almost always hit that." To get off the ground as quickly as possible, Army medevac units use a setup similar to what one might find on their favorite sports team. There is a first string team, referred to as 'first up' and a second string referred to as 'second up.' However, the teams aren't based on who is better. Teams take turns switching between first and second up. "Ideally, a crew is on first up for 24 hours then moves to second up for 24 hours before getting a day of rest," explained Fletcher. "First up takes all of the most serious calls and second up takes the more routine calls as well as fills in for first up while their out on their mission." On a typical medevac mission, the helicopter takes off with a crew of four and a set of unique tools including a medical carousel that can carry up to four patients and a hoist used to lift stranded patients from locations where a Black Hawk can't land. The crew includes two pilots, a crew chief and a flight medic. "I've been both a ground medic and a flight medic, and being a flight medic is a lot more challenging because you're often the only medical person on the aircraft," said Staff Sgt. Dana Owen, 2-238th MEDEVAC, who also is a paramedic and clinical instructor in her civilian job. This unique situation has led to crew chiefs often being trained on more than just standard first aid techniques. Often, when there are multiple patients onboard, the crew chief has to jump in to save a life, said Owen, who added that teamwork is essential to mission success. And, it's those unique challenges as well as the importance of their mission that keeps the crews going back day-after-day. "I do this for the challenge, because I like helping people...and we're all adrenaline junkies," said Owen. Despite the excitement and joy she gets from helping people in her job, Owen said it's not easy. "There are times when it's very hard; it's always harder when is somebody in uniform, no matter what uniform that is," explained the flight medic who previously deployed to Talil, Iraq. "We see the worst that happens to people in life, and sometimes there are things that get to you, sometimes you cry and sometimes you just need to talk about it." Despite the pressure that comes with flying into hostile territory and the responsibility of trying to save a wounded servicemember's life, Owen said she and her fellow Soldiers push through and rely heavily on their training. "When something bad does happen and there's a trauma call, you go into autopilot, do what you've been trained to do, and later look back and say 'I can't believe I just did this!'" she explained. "We have to remain calm, if we freak out that makes everyone else freak out." During their time at Grissom, the 2-238th mixed new Soldiers with those more experienced to get the best training possible, said Blohm. The crews trained with their unique equipment day and night for situations just like they will see during their deployment, including a mass-casualty exercise with over 40 patients. Offering more than just nice facilities and a runway, several Grissom Airmen volunteered their time and bodies as simulated injured personnel, often being poked and prodded as they were treated. "This has been really amazing," said Fletcher. "Everyone here at Grissom has really stepped up, welcomed us and made this training a success." Grissom is home to the 434th Air Refueling Wing, the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command, as well as three Army Reserve units and a Marine Corps Reserve communications detachment. Military units from around the Midwest often train at Grissom because of its facilities and central location. Stay connected with Grissom and the 434th ARW on Twitter and Facebook.
