South Carolina State Guard Holds Search & Rescue Field Training Exercise

The South Carolina State Guard recently held a Field Training Exercise (FTX) that employed crucial skills and training of their Search & Rescue Teams. The exercise started with the State Guard simulating an event in which a casualty was discovered in the woodlands. They quickly deployed troops from their 1st Civil Support Brigade to search & develop a path to the casualty. Once they reached the casualty the Wilderness Search & Rescue team went into action, applying quick medical aid, then preparing the individual for a safe transport to an extraction point. Once reached the casualty was then airlifted by a AnMed Health Med-Trans helicopter.

These types of Field Training Exercises are vital to evaluate the skill and performance of the soldiers during such missions.

“Trained and Ready”

On Oct 14-16, South Carolina State Guard 2nd Battalion conducted a successful Field Training Exercise (FTX) in the Bad Creek area near Salem, SC. It was a great weekend of training for 2nd Battalion, 1st Civil Support Brigade according to commander, Lieutenant Colonel Jason Ross. State Guard troops conducted chainsaw and debris clearing, Wilderness Search and Rescue, patient packaging, Landing Zone training, and proper techniques of extraction while transporting a victim to be MedVac.

Like many other trainings provided to the soldiers, patient packaging is the process of securing a patient for transport. The technique is dependent on environment, available resources, type of rescue and number of rescuers as well as extraction plan. The FTX allows the troops to practice skills, improve teamwork, but most importantly, be adaptable, resourceful, and resilient.

The most dramatic moment was the MedVac simulation, when AnMed Health Med-Trans Unit joined the 2nd Battalion for patient extraction by helicopter. It was such an impactful experience that both parties are making plans for next year’s FTX with additional training elements. Every month, the men and women of 2nd Battalion dedicate one weekend to training and drilling. This annual FTX was when “soldiers exemplified professionalism while being evaluated and showed everyone what they are capable of executing in case of emergencies”, said LTC Ross.