Increased Helicopter Sophistication Saving Lives in Theater

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Significant technological advances in the sophistication of the US helicopter fleet have greatly elevated the success of search and rescue missions over the past decade, which boosting the abilities of special operations forces, according to a leading Air Force Commander.

IDGA recently spoke to Brig Gen Michael J. Kingsley , the Commander, 23rd Air Force, and the Director of Operations for Air Force Special Operations Command, based in Hurlburt Field, Fla. As the 23rd Air Force Commander, he is responsible for supporting both the U.S. Special Operations Command and Air Force Special Operations Command commanders' strategic, operational and tactical objectives across the full range of military operations. Twenty-third Air Force works in concert with USSOCOM to direct all Air Force special operations, during contingencies, wartime, and for operational test and evaluation. As Director of Operations, Brig Gen Kingsley implements and directs operational command policy for AFSOC's worldwide special operations units including 16,000 personnel, 137 aircraft and $4 billion of assets.

According to Brig Gen Kingsley, the impact on the number of lives saved from the advances in helicopters is substantial.

“We’ve brought the ‘golden hour’ to any part of Iraq or Afghanistan,” he said.  The “golden hour” refers to the time period lasting from a few minutes to several hours following traumatic injury being sustained by a casualty, during which there is the highest likelihood that prompt medical treatment will prevent death.  It is well established that the victim's chances of survival are greatest if they receive care within a short period of time after a severe injury.

This change has actually impacted the entire healthcare system, he noted, in some cases placing a burden on health care in the U.S., as hospitals and care facilities have been confronted with far greater numbers of wounded soldiers—soldiers who previously would have perished on the battlefield.

“As a result of changes in technology and adaptations we’ve made since 2001, with the lessons applied to helicopters themselves, we’re better able to save lives,” he said.

Improvements in helicopters have also had an impact on special operations, said Brig Gen Kingsley, as forces are able to be extracted with far greater efficiency. Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan were previously far more treacherous.

He recalled that when he was a squadron commander in 2001, helicopters deployed in Afghanistan had tremendous difficulties. “They crashed,” he said simply. “There was so much dust it was like landing in an ashtray. We couldn’t see the ground. We had to modify the avionics to help see the ground—and even if we can’t, at least provide enough information to give us the confidence  we could land on the ground, so that now we can extract special operations forces from anywhere in the country.”

According to Brig Gen Kingsley, while the Air Force—along with the military overall—is “moving forward in an austere environment,” emphasis must continue to be placed on the helicopter fleet.

In addition to the gains in search and rescue and special operations, he noted that helicopters perform a number of other non-combat functions.  For example, helicopters provide convoy escort and the mobility for security forces related to the nuclear missiles in the northern tier. Those helicopters are “not being used and I’m happy about that,” said Brig Gen Kingsley.  Lastly, there are a number of helicopters provide basic shuttle missions or VIP support.

He acknowledged that there would still be room for improvement in the fleet. “We’re always looking to expand the envelope capabilities of these helicopters,” he said, noting that the Air Forces’ HH-60s can be someone limited, compared to the Army’s MH-47s, for example.

“The question is always going to be what is going to be the expected environment, and can we respond with the capabilities we have now,” he said, “through techniques or procedures, or whether there is a material solution we can use to go higher, or faster, or with greater weight.”

Brig Gen Michael Kingsley will be speaking at IDGA’s Helicon Summit East, to be held Dec. 12-14 in Baltimore, MD.  For more information on the event, visit www.heliconsummit.com, email info@idga.com, or call 1-800-882-8684.

Contributor:   Christopher Dauer

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