Doctor And The Medics

Responding to emerging requirements in battlefield medicine associated with increases in expeditionary deployments, special forces continue to evolve their practices to safely operate in areas lacking even the most basic support infrastructure.

- Andrew White

Traditionally deployed in a variety of force components ranging from 60-strong Special Operations Task Groups (SOTGs) down to two-man teams, special forces are often required to organically support themselves. This is because larger, conventional medical support units can potentially be located across borders, or at forward operating bases, sometimes hundreds of kilometres away, defence sources associated with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Special Operations Forces Headquarters (NSHQ), based in Mons, southern Belgium, described to Armada. However, special forces continue to rely upon battlefield medicine to support not only themselves but local populations where a requirement to influence local civilians, via so-called ‘hearts and minds’ efforts remain critical ‘support and influence’ factors in contemporary counterinsurgency missions.

The latest trends in battlefield medicine range from next-generation pharmacology solutions, aimed at preventing the onset of symptoms, which can negate the effects or even cancel a mission, through to tactical systems deployed on the battlefield and improved training regimes, aimed a enhancing individual operator and small unit TTPs (Tactics, Techniques and Procedures). Many of these battlefield medicine solutions continue to be developed by multinational bodies including the NSHQ, as well as at the national level by the likes of the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) which must also rely upon significant support from industry and academe alike.

EVOLVING REQUIREMENTS