{"id":29357,"date":"2018-05-08T17:08:06","date_gmt":"2018-05-08T17:08:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/05\/08\/dod-exploring-medevac-options-for-special-operations-forces-within-yemen\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T02:42:35","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T02:42:35","slug":"dod-exploring-medevac-options-for-special-operations-forces-within-yemen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/flashpoints\/2018\/05\/08\/dod-exploring-medevac-options-for-special-operations-forces-within-yemen\/","title":{"rendered":"DoD exploring medevac options for special operations forces within Yemen"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The U.S. military is looking for contractors to provide airborne casualty evacuation services for special operations forces working \u201cprimarily within Yemen<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A request for information<\/a> posted April 30 stated that U.S. Transportation Command was conducting market research to identify air carriers operating ballistic-protected fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft capable of providing medical and casualty evacuation services within Yemen, and \u201call surrounding countries, waterways, and the Horn of Africa<\/a>.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A draft performance work statement adds that the personnel recovery services would be for Special Operations Command Central<\/a>. That customer makes sense when looking at the request\u2019s aircraft specifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For fixed-wing assets, contractors should be capable of take-off from a 3,000-foot unprepared runway, with a range of more than 500 nautical miles. Hopeful contractors also need to be able to use night-vision goggles, carry no fewer than eight passengers and be capable of hot refueling, which is when the engine is still running. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rotary-wing assets must meet similar load and range conditions as those above, with the added bonus of rescue hoist capability.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before contractors apply, though, the request wants contractors to ask themselves whether they have \u201ca lightweight, Level III (7.62 mm and 5.56 mm) Ballistic Protection System commercially available that would still allow aircraft to meet minimum requirements specified above?\u201d
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At a minimum, the contractor\u2019s ballistic protection must cover both the cabin and cockpit areas.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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KAJAKI, AFGHANISTAN – OCTOBER 17: Marines prepare to carry Cpl. Jorge Villarreal of San Antonio, Texas with India Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment to a MEDEVAC helicopter near Forward Operating Base (FOB) Zeebrugge on October 17, 2010 in Kajaki, Afghanistan. Villarreal was killed on the patrol after stepping on an improvised explosive device (IED). The Marines of India Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment are responsible for securing the area near the Kajaki Dam on the Helmand River. (Photo by Scott Olson\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Officials did not provide any indication that this signals a change in current strategy in Yemen, which reportedly is limited to a non-kinetic role. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[Our command] frequently reviews requirements in locations where we have always had capabilities in an effort to sustain that capability if needed,\u201d Army Maj. Dave Dunn, a public affairs officer for U.S. Transportation Command<\/a>, told Military Times.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the request is in support of special operations forces, it was posted by Transportation Command. This is because that structure is responsible for supporting medical evacuation from the various combatant commands. For such operations, U.S. forces are known to use their own, as well as commercial and allied nation, aircraft. <\/p>\n\n\n\t