A blueflite® drone delivers simulated blood supplies during a field training exercise at Camp Rilea, Oregon, on Jan. 30, 2025. The innovative drone delivery system showcased its ability to provide rapid resupply for combat medics in tactical environments. Photo by photo by Maj. Wayne Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs
WARRENTON, Ore. — Combat medics with the Oregon National Guard are adapting their battlefield medicine skills for large-scale combat operations through innovative training that includes drone-delivered medical supplies at Camp Rilea.
The 249th Regional Training Institute (RTI) medical detachment conducted its annual 68W Combat Medic sustainment course from Jan. 23-31, incorporating unmanned aerial systems for the first time during the culminating field training exercise.
“We’re transitioning from the way we did combat in the global war on terror,” said Sgt. 1st Class John Lee, NCOIC at the 249th RTI medical detachment. “We’re not going to always have medevac one hour away. We might have to travel to it or use ground transport to get to an ambulance exchange point before we can get the casualty to a higher level of care.”
The two-week course includes classroom instruction, medical trauma lanes, and testing before culminating in a field training exercise that combines all learned skills. This year’s training featured specialized drones for medical supply delivery.
Combat medics must recertify every two years, making realistic training crucial for maintaining life-saving skills. The course begins with fundamental medical principles before progressing to more complex scenarios.
“We start at the basic level and work our way back up, improving their skills,” Lee said. “There’s no telling how much hands-on medicine they might have done in those two years, so we need to knock the rust off.”
Course instructors create high-stress scenarios that mirror battlefield conditions, challenging medics to make critical decisions under pressure. The training emphasizes the importance of adaptability and resourcefulness in austere environments where traditional medical evacuation methods may be compromised.
“We train as we fight,” Lee explained. “The medics need to deal with the consequences of their decisions in real-time. If they make mistakes, it might cause further harm to the casualty, and they need to fix it.”
The evolving curriculum reflects the military’s broader shift toward preparing for near-peer conflicts where immediate medical evacuation might not be possible. The integration of drone technology represents an innovative approach to addressing these emerging challenges in battlefield medicine.
The program also focuses on building team cohesion, as successful casualty care in tactical environments requires a coordinated effort. When asked about the qualities needed in combat medicine, Lee emphasized problem-solving abilities and teamwork.
“These are people that aren’t going to shy away from a fight,” Lee said. “They’re going to step up and get the job done, no matter what.”
As military medicine continues to evolve, the integration of unmanned systems may become increasingly crucial for saving lives in combat situations.
Source: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/490153/oregon-guard-combat-medics-test-drone-delivery-recertification