The Red Cross

Several times in the last couple of months I have come across Writer Michael Yon's ongoing fight with the US Army over the use of red crosses on Medical Evacuation Helicopters.  In accordance with past practices, and conventions we have signed, we, as a nation, have agreed to respect the red cross, and red crescent, as symbols of medical activities, which we will protect from attack.  The US Army believes that to sustain, across wars, the protection of the red cross as a symbol, we need to use it ourselves, all the time.  However, as Mr Yon has noted, a number of times this has resulted in delay in evacuating wounded personnel because an armed escort was not immediately available for the medical evacuation helicopter (MEDEVAC).

The fact is that helicopters are expensive and thus are "low density/high demand" (LD/HD) assets.  They have to be apportioned based upon the current situation.  An armed helicopter sitting on ground alert is a wasted opportunity to help some unit in a fire fight or on a dangerous patrol.

Mr Yon says the Army should play the game the way the Air Force, the Marines and the Brits play the game.  Paint out the red crosses and fly armed.

Eventually a US Senator picked up the fight and wrote to the Secretary of the Army.  The result was a bland letter from the Honorable John McHugh that said "no problems here".  Read the letter at the link to see bureaucratic writing at it's worst.  This letter was probably drafted by some Major, deep in the Pentagon.  It had a "Staff Summary Sheet" clipped on top and the major ran around the Pentagon Rings, getting coordination signatures.  I expect some staff office representing the medical staff, someone in operations, someone in personnel, someone in logistics and a lawyer.  None of them evil, but all following the the existing momentum.  Washington at it's worst.

Hat tip to the Instapundit.

Rgards  —  Cliff