text: Chapter 4
  conducting the operation; however, the MEDCOM (DS) (or other senior medical command in its absence
  such as the MEDBDE [SPT]), as the theater medical command will deploy sufficient medical resources to
  provide the required support.
  4-35. Table 4-6 (page 4-13) provides an example of the types of AHS activities which may be conducted in
  these types of operations.
  THEATER OPENING AND EARLY ENTRY OPERATIONS
  4-36. Theater opening operations involve two types of AHS forces: those organic to the maneuver force and
  those AHS organizations deployed to establish the initial medical infrastructure within the AOR and to
  support theater opening forces during reception, staging, onward movement, and integration.
  4-37. The organic medical resources of the maneuver units provide Roles 1 and 2 AHS support to their parent
  organizations. While these organizations are at the port of debarkation/embarkation, operational assembly
  areas, or other in-transit locations, AHS support is provided on an area support basis by the AHS
  organizations supporting port operations. Army Health System units accompanying the intransit force
  normally do not unload and setup their medical equipment and supplies, but rather rely on area support to
  accomplish their immediate AHS support mission.
  4-38. The focus of AHS support to theater opening operations is to establish a medical infrastructure which
  facilitates the smooth transition of incoming AHS assets, provides real-time HSS and FHP data (medical and
  OEH surveillance), health risk communications, subsistence inspection programs, and integrates medical
  materiel (supplies, blood, and equipment) requisition, distribution, and maintenance.
  4-39. Intertheater USAF AE during theater opening operations may be delayed during initial entry with
  patients being held in the operational area for evacuation out of theater on airframes of opportunity.
  Evacuation at Roles 1 and 2 will be accomplished by organic air and ground evacuation assets. Forward
  resuscitative surgery assets will be critical to stabilize nontransportable patients.
  EXPEDITIONARY MEDICAL OPERATIONS
  4-40. Expeditionary operations are operations that are inherently joint and require strategic reach. During
  crisis response, joint force commanders rely on contingency expeditionary forces to respond promptly. The
  Army provides ready forces able to operate in any environment- from urban areas to remote, rural regions.
  Health service support/FHP planning during expeditionary medical operations must remain flexible and
  coordinated, but it must also be adaptable to unique support arrangements (Table 4-6, page 4-13) which
  capitalize on the strengths of all units employed in the operational area.
  4-41. Army Medicine personnel with an expeditionary and joint mindset have the confidence, skills, and
  knowledge to adapt and overcome unique medical challenges in providing a seamless continuum of care to
  our deployed forces. During expeditionary medical operations, units may be required to accomplish missions
  or coordinate support which they traditionally have not been required to accomplish. For example, the ability
  to project surgical resources into austere locations and the extended distances required to affect MEDEVAC
  may necessitate Role 2 MTFs and FSTs or FRSDs to coordinate directly with USAF aeromedical liaison
  teams and the supporting Theater Patient Movement Requirements Center for patient movement.
  4-42. The array of AHS units in the current force was designed under three force design initiatives, Medical
  Force 2000, Medical Reengineering Initiative, and the Modular Force. Capabilities in like units under the
  three initiatives may vary, but the medical leadership can maximize and capitalize on the strengths of the
  various force designs, while minimizing the weaknesses to ensure the operational commander is provided
  the most effective and efficient AHS support.