Applying the principles of AHS to different MOSs

Question 1

Name the AHS principles

Answer 1

Flexibility, Mobility, Proximity, Conformity, Continuity, and Control (FMPC3)

Question 2

Describe conformity

Answer 2

• Conforming with the OPLAN to provide AHS support.
• Medical commander and operational commander must develop a comprehensive concept of operations.
• AHS planners involved early in the planning process.
• Conduct rehearsals with supported forces.
• AHS support operations agree with the combatant commander’s engagement strategy in operations focused on stability tasks.

Question 3

Describe control

Answer 3

• Ensures scarce resources are efficiently employed and support the operational and strategic plan.
• Ensures the scope and quality of medical treatment meets standards, policies, and laws.
• Allows synchronization of all medical functions ensuring the complex interrelationships and interoperability remain balanced and effective.
• Medical commander orchestrates control in AO.

Question 4

Describe continuity

Answer 4

• Achieved in care and treatment through progressive, phased roles of care (Role 1 - Role4).
• Each unit contributes a measured, logical increment in care appropriate to its location and capabilities.
• Current ops, lower casualty rates, availability of air ambulances, and other METT-TC factors often enable MEDEVAC from the POI directly to CSH.
• In traditional ops, higher casualty rates, and patient condition may necessitate care at each role to maintain physiologic status and enhance chances of survival.
• Medical commanders can adjust patient flow to ensure Soldiers receive required care.
• Medical commanders can recommend changes in the theater evacuation policy to adjust patient flow.

Question 5

Describe flexibility

Answer 5

• Flexibility is being prepared to, and empowered to, shift AHS resources to meet changing requirements.
• Changes in plans or operations make flexibility in AHS planning and execution essential. In addition to building flexibility into the OPLAN to support the commander’s scheme of maneuver, the medical commander must also ensure that he has the flexibility to rapidly transition from one level of violence to another across the range of military operations.
• As the current era is one characterized by persistent conflict, the medical commander may be supporting simultaneous actions characterized by different decisive actions, such as offensive, defensive, or stability tasks.
• The medical commander exercises his command authority to effectively manage his scarce medical resources so that they benefit the greatest number of Soldiers in the AO.
• For example, there are insufficient numbers of forward surgical teams (FSTs) to permit the habitual assignment of these organizations to each BCT.
• Therefore, the medical commander, in conjunction with the command surgeon, closely monitors these valuable assets so that he can rapidly reallocate or recommend the reallocation of this lifesaving skill to the BCTs in contact with the enemy and where the highest number of Soldiers will potentially receive traumatic wounds and injuries.
• As the operational situation changes within that BCT AO, the command surgeon and medical commander monitor and execute resupply and/or reconstitute operations of that FST to prepare for follow-on operations which could be in another BCT’s AO.
• This ability to rapidly re-mission these special skills maximizes the lifesaving capacity of these units, provides the highest standard of lifesaving medical interventions to the greatest number of our combat wounded, and enhances the effectiveness of the surgical care provided and the productivity of these teams.

Question 6

Describe mobility

Answer 6

• Principle of insuring AHS assets remain in supporting distance to maneuver forces.
• Mobility, survivability, and sustainability of organic
  AHS units must be equal to forces being supported.
• Major AHS HQs in EAB continually assess and forecast unit movement and redeployment.
• AHS support must be continually responsive to shifting medical requirements in an OE.
• Can only increase mobility of AHS units by evacuating all patients being held.
• AHS units anticipating an influx of patients must MEDEVAC patients on hand prior to the start of the engagement.

Question 7

Describe flexibility

Answer 7

• Being prepared and empowered to shift AHS resources to meet changing requirements.
• Build flexibility into OPLAN to support the scheme of maneuver.
• Medical commander must have the flexibility to rapidly transition between levels of violence.
• Medical commander may be supporting simultaneous decisive actions
• Effective management of scarce medical resources to benefit the greatest number of Soldiers.

Question 8

What medical functions do the AHS principles affect?

Answer 8

• AHS principles apply across all medical functions and are synchronized through medical command and control and close coordination and synchronization of all deployed medical assets through medical technical channels

Question 9

What are the effects of the AHS principles?

Answer 9

• They are the foundation and fundamentals of the delivery of health care in a field environment.
• They guide medical planners in developing OPLANs which are effective, efficient, flexible, and executable.
• AHS plans are designed to support the operational commander’s scheme of maneuver while retaining a focus on the delivery of health care

Question 10

Responsibilities of deployed 68Ts

Answer 10

• Prevention and control of diseases that are transmitted from animals to humans (such as Rabies).
• Comprehensive care of military working dogs.
• Population control of local wildlife and stray animals.