MERTs and Wokkas in Afghan
Thread Starter
MERTs and Wokkas in Afghan
Channel 4 News broadcast a report yesterday by the excellent team of reporter Alex Thomson and cameraman Stuart Webb on the work of the MERTs.
If you're as higgerant as I am and didn't know what MERT stands for - it's Medical Emergency Response Team.
The piece is mysteriously called 'Miliband Backs Troops in Afghanistan', and you need to click on Watch the report
http://www.channel4.com/news/article...nistan/1507947
I found it takes a while to download, and it'll cut short and return you to the start if it's not fully downloaded - but it's worth waiting for.
airsound
If you're as higgerant as I am and didn't know what MERT stands for - it's Medical Emergency Response Team.
The piece is mysteriously called 'Miliband Backs Troops in Afghanistan', and you need to click on Watch the report
http://www.channel4.com/news/article...nistan/1507947
I found it takes a while to download, and it'll cut short and return you to the start if it's not fully downloaded - but it's worth waiting for.
airsound
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Radios in a Chinook
Came across this clip by chance last night - excellent stuff. One thing struck me though - the reporter claimed that the medics were reduced to communicating with each other in flight by means of shouting and hand signals 'because they hadn't been issued radios'. Q: would they have been permitted to use radios in the back of the Chinook? Or did he mean the in-cabin R/T?
(or was he just trying to make a political point?)
(or was he just trying to make a political point?)
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You can quite safely use personal radios in the back, as many troops do. You will notice that some of the team are wearing flying helmets so could plug into the intercom system. The problem comes with tangled up leads and live mics so most times (certainly on the Merlin) the IRT Docs and medics need to work 'unattached'. They also need both hands free so often shouting is the simplest and easiest way to operate.
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A brilliant brilliant job being done there by the MERT's. I didn't know about them. I do now!! And how.
From a PPRuNe point of view, and subsequently, all our readers, Mil et al. It is fantastic that we get threads like this. Otherwise how would we really be aware.
We are thinking about you in harms way out there guys and gals. Really, we are.
Edit: In Iraq too, of course.
Keep safe.
PPP
From a PPRuNe point of view, and subsequently, all our readers, Mil et al. It is fantastic that we get threads like this. Otherwise how would we really be aware.
We are thinking about you in harms way out there guys and gals. Really, we are.
Edit: In Iraq too, of course.
Keep safe.
PPP
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I agree. Like most on here I dare say, I don't watch Ch4 news so would have missed it but for this thread. Have cascaded it as essential viewing to all in my unit.
Also, next time those on here have cause to attack journos as all being scum, spare a thought for well balanced, informative pieces like this (and those from Alistair Leathhead on BBC).
Also, next time those on here have cause to attack journos as all being scum, spare a thought for well balanced, informative pieces like this (and those from Alistair Leathhead on BBC).
Thread Starter
Regie, I fear you may be right when you say that most PPRuNers don't watch Channel 4 News. For what it's worth, I believe the 1900 edition of C4N is easily the best tv news of the day. Amongst other things military and aviation-related, it has doggedly pursued the Chinook/Mull story when others gave up long ago.
I also agree that Alastair Leithead is doing excellent front-line work for the Beeb.
Anyway, thanks for the compliment to (some of) the scum - I'm sure it's appreciated.
airsound
PS Thanks to all other posters as well!
I also agree that Alastair Leithead is doing excellent front-line work for the Beeb.
Anyway, thanks for the compliment to (some of) the scum - I'm sure it's appreciated.
airsound
PS Thanks to all other posters as well!
Last edited by airsound; 8th Feb 2008 at 15:55. Reason: Belated thanks....
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Just to add some info that probably isn't common knowledge...
During the day and night we get airborne in the Wokka well below what our mandate is. A slick start by just one pilot and one crewman whilst the other two are getting the details means that we regularly do it well below the maximum time we given.
Some of you may wonder why we aren't manning the aircraft 24/7 in these circumstances, well it takes a finite amount of time to get the info of where and if the Medevac needs to take place, in that time the aircraft is spun and ready to go.
We of course couldn't do this without the support of the engineers who do their utmost in making sure we get away without any troubles.
The MERTS, aircrew, engineers and the force protection guys that we carry with us are all responsible in the incredible number of injured personnel that make it when statistics say they shouldn't have done. It's no mean feat believe me for it all to come together in such a slick operation
Edited to save embarrassment!
During the day and night we get airborne in the Wokka well below what our mandate is. A slick start by just one pilot and one crewman whilst the other two are getting the details means that we regularly do it well below the maximum time we given.
Some of you may wonder why we aren't manning the aircraft 24/7 in these circumstances, well it takes a finite amount of time to get the info of where and if the Medevac needs to take place, in that time the aircraft is spun and ready to go.
We of course couldn't do this without the support of the engineers who do their utmost in making sure we get away without any troubles.
The MERTS, aircrew, engineers and the force protection guys that we carry with us are all responsible in the incredible number of injured personnel that make it when statistics say they shouldn't have done. It's no mean feat believe me for it all to come together in such a slick operation
Edited to save embarrassment!
Last edited by Pilot Pacifier; 8th Feb 2008 at 19:33.
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Not withstanding, the Channel 4 article is great PR and shows what many don't see goes on behind the scenes.
Last edited by TheWizard; 9th Feb 2008 at 09:09. Reason: Previous post edited, so comment not required
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It's no mean feat believe me for it all to come together in such a slick operation
Our prayers are with you in both theaters.
PPP
With all due respect PP, there is probably a good reason for that. This is not a criticism or any other type of petty argument as we do the same thing in the other theatre but some info should remain where it is.
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PP has not said anything wrong, and I doubt very much that the Taliban are rubbing their hands with glee infact they wouldn't even notice the info if people did not (incorrectly) say it is valuable int.
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MGD - Don't try and get ahead, just keep up. The info referred to has been removed.
Anyway, I thought it was only you that did all the policing. At least thats what you tell us on an almost daily basis.
Tigs2 - similar information has been used before and sadly very effectively.
Anyway, I thought it was only you that did all the policing. At least thats what you tell us on an almost daily basis.
Tigs2 - similar information has been used before and sadly very effectively.
