text: Chapter 3
  * Rapid communications plan with risk approval authorities identified to ensure appropriate
  approval prior to mission launch.
  * Coordination requirements for security support from escort aircraft.
  * Identify and coordinate aerial CASEVAC support when necessary.
  3-153. The aviation brigade and GSAB staff, in conjunction with medical planners, must devise an
  allocation plan that can support all of the evacuation coverage areas and the missions the evacuation order
  assigns to the higher headquarters. Important considerations include the following points:
  * Air ambulances are a low-density asset which must be employed efficiently. This may occur
  with troops engaged in combat, in high population density areas, in areas of famine or disease
  with high civilian casualties, or in refugee areas.
  * In addition to performing point of injury missions, the forward support MEDEVAC platoon
  evacuates patients from AXPs based on the ground scheme of maneuver, and performs patient
  transfer missions between MTFs or other locations.
  * The headquarters section and the area support MEDEVAC platoon may also be responsible for
  point of injury missions within their immediate vicinity.
  3-154. Although the organizational design of the air ambulance company can support a division AO in
  certain situations, the effects of the mission variables can dramatically affect AE capability in the AO.
  Figure 3-27, page 3-41, provides an example of how effects from mission variables can exceed AE
  capability and require additional assets in the AO. Elements of the mission variables which could
  complicate AE support to an AO include—
  * Mission—
   Noncontiguous AO.
   Friendly forces are widely dispersed throughout the AO.
   Coalition, joint, or other friendly elements who may operate in the AO and require AE.
  * Enemy—
   Enemy air defenses prohibit AE in forward areas.
   Enemy operations prohibit ground MEDEVAC in certain areas.
  * Terrain and weather—
   Restrictive terrain may restrict ground MEDEVAC.
   Weather patterns may prevent AE between certain locations.
  * Troops and support available—
   MTFs are widely dispersed throughout the AO.
   Minimal medical facilities or assets in theater.
  * Time available—
   Aircraft speed or power limitations.
   Local policies stipulate a maximum amount of time between AE request and arrival to a
  MTF.
  * Civil considerations—
   Areas of concentrated populations at risk may require AE.
   Dense population areas restrict LZ selection.
  3-155. The air ambulance company may operate collocated with the GSAB or it may be task-organized
  and conduct split-based operations to support several aviation task forces. Thorough logistics and support
  planning is critical when an air ambulance company or forward support MEDEVAC platoon operates apart
  from the GSAB headquarters. Further, AE units operating apart from their company or battalion
  headquarters must be ready to continue operations during lapses in communications. Unit SOP, leadership,
  and command guidance is necessary to compensate for increased risk of operations across widely-
  distributed AOs.