Flight Deck

	The flight deck covers 2.2 acres and is designed to accommodate any helicopter in the U.S. inventory and AV8B Harrier aircraft. Up to 24 helicopters and 6 Harriers can be stored on the flight deck.and flight deck personnel can control up to nine helicopters at one time. It is the most dangerous part of the entire ship. Only specially trained and qualified personnel can be on the flight deck. Unless you hold those qualifications, you will always be escorted by someone who does, whenever it is necessary for you to be on the flight deck. All flight deck personnel are identified by the color jacket and markings of their helmet. This helmet with the red cross is for medical personnel. Entry to the medical spaces on the flight deck is through the double doors.
	During flight operations, these doors are normally closed. That's good, because the flight deck is very noisy. To receive casualties, the double doors are opened, allowing rapid entry of ambulatory and litter patients into the medical stabilization area.
	The medical stabilization area is a large space, surrounded by cabinets with medical supplies, and oxygen tanks. Tie-downs are built into the floor to allow patient litters or equipment to be secured in heavy seas. Most of the time, that isn't necessary, and litters are simply placed on litter stands.
	IV's, bandages, and other medical equipment is readily available in the cabinets along the walls. An ice machine allows for rapid icing of traumatized tissues.
	In the corner of the stabilizing area is the Battle Dressing Station (BDS). This is a small surgical area capable of serving several roles.
	The elevator takes up to 6 litter patients directly down to the Triage Area of the Medical Department.
	The ship's morgue is located just off the stabilization spaces.

Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
Department of the Navy
2300 E Street NW
Washington, D.C
20372-5300

Operational Medicine
Health Care in Military Settings
CAPT Michael John Hughey, MC, USNR
NAVMED P-5139
January 1, 2001

United States Special Operations Command
7701 Tampa Point Blvd.
MacDill AFB, Florida
33621-5323

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