text: Chapter 3
  PROVISION OF EN-ROUTE CARE
  3-148. The provision of en-route care on medically-equipped aircraft enhances a patient’s potential for
  survival and recovery. Extended distances from a point of injury or ambulance exchange point (AXP) to the
  MTF make en-route medical care even more critical. Army air ambulances are staffed with highly
  specialized critical care flight paramedics with advanced critical care training. These flight paramedics are
  essential for patient stabilization, sustainment, and survival during evacuation.
  3-149. Patients may require additional medical professionals to ensure the appropriate level of care is
  provided. En-route critical care nurses or other advanced medical providers may augment the AE crew on a
  case-by-case basis. Figure 3-25 illustrates the en-route medical care capabilities between various platforms
  and how each compare to United States emergency medical services standards of care. Commanders and
  staffs should understand the varying medical capabilities for patient movement when planning and
  conducting operations.
  Figure 3–25. Medical skill-level comparison
  RECEIPT OF THE EVACUATION PLAN FROM HIGHER
  3-150. Theater evacuation policy refers to a command decision indicating the length, in days, of the
  maximum period of non-effectiveness that patients may be held within the command for treatment. The
  Secretary of Defense establishes this policy with advice from the Joint Chiefs of Staff and
  recommendations from the combatant commander.
  3-151. The evacuation plan integrates AE to support a regionally-focused Army health service plan. The
  Army health service plan supports the combatant commander and theater engagement plan. All joint, allied,
  multi-national, and/or host-nation medical assets are assessed in the development of the Army health
  service plan for a given operation. Depending on the requirement of the Army health service plan, Army
  AE assets may be required to provide support to other services and/or provide area support throughout an