1-9. OTHER SUPPORT

a. Units that lack an organic medical capability are provided routine and emergency medical treatment on an area support basis. Within corps and echelons above corps (EAC), this service is provided by area support medical battalions, which are organized similar to divisional medical battalions. The battalion consists of medical companies that have a treatment platoon (area support squad, treatment squad, and patient holding squad) and an ambulance platoon. In addition to a normal battalion staff, the headquarters has optometry, preventive medicine, mental health, and medical logistics sections.

b. The ambulance exchange point (AXP) is an intermediate point of patient transfer. Ambulance exchange points are established when threats to air resources prevent evacuation by air from forward units. These points will be established to the rear of the battlefield air support (BAS). During deep operations, these points

may be established to ensure that lines of communications of unit/ division/corps level resources are not overextended. The AXP is manned by the maneuver battalion medical platoon and medical company personnel.