- Line 1: Location of Pick-up Site (Grid Coordinates)
- Details: 8-digit grid coordinate.
- Example: 18S UJ 234 567.
- Line 2: Radio Frequency, Call Sign, Suffix
- Details: Freq, Call Sign, and Suffix of the medic/team leader.
- Example: 76.89 MHz, Viper 1, Suffix 6.
- Line 3: Number of Patients by Precedence
- Details: A-Urgent, B-Urgent Surgical, C-Priority, D-Routine, E-Convenience.
- Example: 1 Alpha, 1 Charlie (1 Urgent, 1 Priority).
- Line 4: Special Equipment Required
- Details: A-None, B-Hoist, C-Extraction, D-Ventilator.
- Example: Alpha (None).
- Line 5: Number of Patients by Type
- Details: A-Litter, B-Ambulatory.
- Example: 1 Alpha, 1 Bravo (1 Litter, 1 Ambulatory).
- Line 6: Security at Pick-up Site
- Details: N-No enemy, P-Possible, E-Enemy in area, X-Enemy, escorted.
- Example: November (No enemy).
- Line 7: Method of Marking Pick-up Site
- Details: A-Panels, B-Pyrotechnic, C-Smoke, D-None, E-Other.
- Example: Charlie (Green Smoke).
- Line 8: Patient Nationality and Status
- Details: A-US Mil, B-US Civ, C-Non-US Mil, D-Non-US Civ, E-EPW.
- Example: Alpha (US Military).
- Line 9: NBC Contamination / Terrain Description
- Details: N-Nuclear, B-Biological, C-Chemical. In peacetime, terrain description.
- Example: None (or “None” in combat).
- Brevity Codes: Use the letter codes (e.g., Alpha, Bravo) to speed up transmission.
- Security First: Ensure Line 6 (Security) is accurate to protect the MEDEVAC crew.
- Initial Report: If time is limited, send the first 5 lines immediately
The 9-Line Format Breakdown
During initial contact, you must transmit at least Lines 1 through 5 within 25 seconds. Lines 6 through 9 can be sent while the aircraft or vehicle is en route.
Line Information Required Description & Brevity Codes
1 Location of Pickup Site 8-digit grid coordinates (e.g., AB 1234 5678).
2 Radio Freq / Call Sign The frequency and call sign of the unit at the pickup site.
3 Patients by Precedence A: Urgent (save life/limb within 2hrs); B: Urgent-Surg; C: Priority (4hrs); D: Routine (24hrs); E: Convenience.
4 Special Equipment A: None; B: Hoist; C: Extraction equipment; D: Ventilator.
5 Patients by Type L + #: Litter (cannot walk); A + #: Ambulatory (can walk).
6 Security (Wartime) N: No enemy; P: Possible enemy; E: Enemy in area; X: Armed escort required.
7 Method of Marking A: Panels; B: Pyrotechnic; C: Smoke (specify color); D: None.
8 Patient Nationality A: US Military; B: US Civilian; C: Non-US Military; D: Non-US Civilian; E: EPW.
9 NBC / Terrain Wartime: NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) contamination. Peacetime: Terrain description.
Example Scenario: IED Strike During Patrol
The Situation: You are a platoon leader (Call Sign: Echo 3-1). Your unit hit an IED at grid AB 1234 5678. You have one soldier with a traumatic amputation (Urgent/Litter) and one with shrapnel wounds who can still walk (Priority/Ambulatory). There is possible enemy movement in the woods nearby. You will mark the LZ with green smoke.
Transmission Script:
Initial Call: “I have a MEDEVAC request, over.” (Wait for response)
Line 1: “Grid Alpha Bravo 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8.”
Line 2: “Frequency 36.90, Echo 3-1.”
Line 3: “One Alpha, break, One Charlie.” (1 Urgent, 1 Priority)
Line 4: “Alpha.” (None)
Line 5: “One Lima, break, One Alpha.” (1 Litter, 1 Ambulatory)
Line 6: “Papa.” (Possible enemy)
Line 7: “Charlie, Green.” (Smoke signal, Green)
Line 8: “Alpha.” (US Military)
Line 9: “November.” (No NBC contamination)
MIST Report Supplement
After the 9-Line, it is standard to provide a MIST report for each casualty to help the flight medic prepare:
M – Mechanism of Injury (e.g., IED Blast)
I – Injury Sustained (e.g., Traumatic amputation, shrapnel to leg)
S – Signs and Symptoms (e.g., BP 110/70, HR 120)
T – Treatment Given (e.g., Tourniquet applied 0900, morphine administered)