Aviat Space Envir Md
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Aviat Space Envir Md · Oct 1995
ReviewIncreased flight surgeon role in military aeromedical evacuation.
Physicians were involved in the development of aeromedical evacuation (medevac) and flight surgeons flew as crewmembers on the first U.S. military medevac flights. However, since World War II flight surgeons have not been routinely assigned to operational medevac units. The aeromedical literature addressing the role of physicians in medevac is controversial. Recent contingencies involving the U.S. Air Force (USAF) have required the augmentation of medevac units with flight surgeons. ⋯ Dedicated medevac flight surgeons fill a unique and valuable role in medevac systems. Agencies with medevac units should consider assigning flight surgeons to these units.