Forward surgical teams

Surgeons perform damage control surgery on combat casualties within the "golden hour" of injury whenever possible.

By doctrine, given in ATP 4-02.5 (May 2013) Chapter 3 section 10,[2] and ARTEP 8-518-10, the team is capable of continuous operations with a divisional or non-divisional medical company for up to 72 hours with a planned caseload of 30 critical patients.

The FST can sustain surgery for 24 total operating table hours and has the ability to separate into two teams while jumping from one site to another.

Sustained split operations are common in Iraq and Afghanistan, although not supported by current doctrine in FM 8-10-25.

The airborne Forward Surgical Team can be slingloaded onto cargo helicopters and moved by the headquarters unit.