Springfield gains National Guard medical evacuation unit

By Ann Keyes
ngmo.pao@us.army.mil

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - In May, the Missouri National Guard announced the addition of a medical evacuation unit slated to benefit Overseas Contingency Operations while deployed and Missourians stateside. Recently, Springfield was chosen for the unit's base.

"I selected Springfield as the location for our new medevac unit for several reasons, including the recommendation of my state aviation office," said Brig. Gen. Stephen L. Danner, adjutant general for the Missouri Army and Air National Guard. "In addition, the Springfield community provides a broad recruiting base and we are excited to offer expanded opportunities to the area."

The Missouri Guard considered several sites for placement of the medical flight group, including the home station's capability to support the unit and accompanying Black Hawk helicopters. Jefferson City, Fort Leonard Wood, Springfield and Whiteman Air Force Base made the short list, but factors steered the Guard toward southwest Missouri.

"The Springfield location was recommended because of existing facilities, and the aircraft will be used to support aviation training requirements for the area," said Lt. Col. Mark McLemore, Missouri Guard State Aviation Officer.

The modified Black Hawk helicopters associated with the unit will be housed and maintained at the Missouri Guard's Army Aviation Flight Activity in northwest Springfield. Fulltime unit personnel will work at the Flight Activity and the National Guard armory on North Fremont Avenue.

Financial impact from the Guard addition includes nearly $1 million for two newly created fulltime positions and 29 traditional Soldiers who will serve the unit. The state will receive three UH-60 aircraft with a total cost of approximately $13.5 million, while training will generate more than $2 million in flight training hours, said McLemore, emphasizing the addition will further make certain the Missouri National Guard is ready to serve the state and country when called upon.

"The Black Hawks will have rescue hoist capability and have flight medics on board that can provide medical care while en route to medical care facilities. This will greatly enhance our ability to provide support to Soldiers in support of Overseas Contingency Operations and provide a greatly enhanced capability in the event of state emergencies," McLemore said.

Already, Missouri Guard Soldiers are well trained to take on medevac missions, said Maj. Josh Hudgens, commander of Army Aviation Flight Activity in Springfield. Hudgens said all of his flight facility instructors are subject-matter experts in the use of a hoist. Each member of the Ozarks-area crew has 20-25 years of experience in medical evacuations, in part due to civilian work and in part due to military training and practical application, the latter shown during rescue operations in Louisiana for Hurricane Katrina.

"The benefit is definitely the availability of en route care for a mass casualty event," said Hudgens. "But you can also rescue an individual from the roof of a house."

The new Guard Army Aviation unit is expected to be formally recognized late 2010. The platoon-size element will serve under 3-135th Theater Aviation Battalion, of Lebanon.

"The success of the Missouri National Guard has allowed us to gain this additional force structure," said Danner. "This new medical evacuation unit will expand the capabilities of the Missouri National Guard both on deployments and here in Missouri."


For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-888-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.