Sneaky SF Dude
23 June 2003, 14:51
If you want to be an 18D or a PJ, you need to read this. Here's an excerpt. Its by 2LT (previously SFC Bob Mabry).
http://www.specialoperations.com/Specialties/Medicine/Urban.htm
Back at the first crash site, the CSAR team works to secure the crash and to extricate the dead and wounded. They have been under constant fire since they fast-roped in. The PJ’s move forward to remove the bodies and a Ranger medic sets up a casualty collection point (CCP) behind the protection of the downed helo. Anticipating quick evacuation, the casualties were not moved into the protection of a nearby Somali house. A short while after infiltration, the body of the first pilot is freed. He is obviously dead. Moments later, the senior PJ limps back to the CCP cursing. “Rat bastards shot me”. He then assumes control of the CCP and the Ranger medic moves forward to assist in the aircraft. While moving up to the nose of the aircraft, a grenade flies over the wall and lands in the narrow alley where he and some of the Ranger security element are clustered. There was no place to go. They ducked, turned away, closed their eyes, and gritted their teeth. Nothing happens; it is a dud. Before they could breath a sigh of relief another grenade flies over the wall and lands only several feet from them. It is not a dud; it explodes up and out and misses everyone. “Get some grenades over that wall” someone yells. Seconds later, 3 or 4 grenades fly over the wall and explode in rapid succession. Rounds continuously hit the aircraft, the walls of the narrow alley, and the ground around the security team. At the nose of the aircraft, one Ranger is hit in the chest and falls backward. He looks down, sees that the bullet has been stopped by his Kevlar body armor, and then continues to return fire.
Meanwhile, the second PJ has discovered a crew chief buried under the debris in the cargo area of the downed helo. He calls to the other medic for help. The army medic tries to dig under to nose of the aircraft but cannot get in, so he takes a deep breath, scrambles up the nose of the Blackhawk and jumps in from the top. Seeing him enter the aircraft, silhouetted against the sky, the Somalis respond with an intense volley at the downed aircraft. Inside, there is a hail of bullets that lasts a few seconds. One of the medics is grazed in the face, the other on the hand and the crew chief has his some of fingers shot off. Otherwise they are unhurt. The three of them look at each other in amazement. “Wait a minute” one medic says, and takes up the Blackhawk’s armored floorboards and places them in the fore and aft section of aircraft. Now, somewhat protected, they place the wounded crew chief on a litter and dig a hole under the aircraft to get him out. While they work, the armored floorboards take hits, are knocked over, and then put up again.
Back out in the street, the wounded are stacking up. The floorboards from the aircraft and blocks of rubble from the wall smashed by the helicopter are quickly stacked up for cover. The medics work quickly to assess and stabilize the casualties. By now, members of the SAR team are getting hit. The fire has not let up. A radio call comes from across the intersection; “We have wounded across the street,” says the CSAR Team Commander. The PJ and the Army medic look at each other. “I’ll go,” the PJ volunteers and jumps up and runs across the street. Moments later he is back saying, “I need some IV fluids; I have a casualty who is bleeding a lot.” He then makes his way back through the fire across the street for a third time.
http://www.specialoperations.com/Specialties/Medicine/Urban.htm
Back at the first crash site, the CSAR team works to secure the crash and to extricate the dead and wounded. They have been under constant fire since they fast-roped in. The PJ’s move forward to remove the bodies and a Ranger medic sets up a casualty collection point (CCP) behind the protection of the downed helo. Anticipating quick evacuation, the casualties were not moved into the protection of a nearby Somali house. A short while after infiltration, the body of the first pilot is freed. He is obviously dead. Moments later, the senior PJ limps back to the CCP cursing. “Rat bastards shot me”. He then assumes control of the CCP and the Ranger medic moves forward to assist in the aircraft. While moving up to the nose of the aircraft, a grenade flies over the wall and lands in the narrow alley where he and some of the Ranger security element are clustered. There was no place to go. They ducked, turned away, closed their eyes, and gritted their teeth. Nothing happens; it is a dud. Before they could breath a sigh of relief another grenade flies over the wall and lands only several feet from them. It is not a dud; it explodes up and out and misses everyone. “Get some grenades over that wall” someone yells. Seconds later, 3 or 4 grenades fly over the wall and explode in rapid succession. Rounds continuously hit the aircraft, the walls of the narrow alley, and the ground around the security team. At the nose of the aircraft, one Ranger is hit in the chest and falls backward. He looks down, sees that the bullet has been stopped by his Kevlar body armor, and then continues to return fire.
Meanwhile, the second PJ has discovered a crew chief buried under the debris in the cargo area of the downed helo. He calls to the other medic for help. The army medic tries to dig under to nose of the aircraft but cannot get in, so he takes a deep breath, scrambles up the nose of the Blackhawk and jumps in from the top. Seeing him enter the aircraft, silhouetted against the sky, the Somalis respond with an intense volley at the downed aircraft. Inside, there is a hail of bullets that lasts a few seconds. One of the medics is grazed in the face, the other on the hand and the crew chief has his some of fingers shot off. Otherwise they are unhurt. The three of them look at each other in amazement. “Wait a minute” one medic says, and takes up the Blackhawk’s armored floorboards and places them in the fore and aft section of aircraft. Now, somewhat protected, they place the wounded crew chief on a litter and dig a hole under the aircraft to get him out. While they work, the armored floorboards take hits, are knocked over, and then put up again.
Back out in the street, the wounded are stacking up. The floorboards from the aircraft and blocks of rubble from the wall smashed by the helicopter are quickly stacked up for cover. The medics work quickly to assess and stabilize the casualties. By now, members of the SAR team are getting hit. The fire has not let up. A radio call comes from across the intersection; “We have wounded across the street,” says the CSAR Team Commander. The PJ and the Army medic look at each other. “I’ll go,” the PJ volunteers and jumps up and runs across the street. Moments later he is back saying, “I need some IV fluids; I have a casualty who is bleeding a lot.” He then makes his way back through the fire across the street for a third time.