S.Amdt. 3097

This amendment, submitted by Mr. Cruz, aims to add a new section to bill S. 2296. Its purpose is to ensure the Medical Service Corps of the Army keeps a dedicated aeromedical evacuation capability. This includes keeping specific aircraft, training, doctrine, and personnel for these missions.

The amendment adds the following requirements:

• Authority: It clarifies that the Army aviation branch handles organizing and equipping assets, while the Army medical department handles clinical standards, patient care, and medical command and control.

• Operational Support: The capability must support various missions, including humanitarian assistance, disaster response, chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear response, civil authorities, contingency operations, and garrison emergency medical response at Department of Defense installations.

• Protections Against Change: The aeromedical evacuation capability must stay a distinct component. It cannot be moved into dual-use configurations or general-purpose aviation elements unless congressional defense committees are notified. This notification must include a report and a formal risk assessment regarding operational medical readiness.

• Oversight: Any changes to force structure or allocations must account for joint force needs and operational medical requirements. The Secretary of the Army cannot change allocations inconsistent with this section without consulting the Surgeon General of the Army.