Montana National Guard complete VITA Rescue System training

Soldiers from the Montana National Guard have completed instructor certification for the use of the VITA Rescue System, a device designed to stabilize hoist operations.

The two-day training course was undertaken by soldiers of C Company, 1st Battalion, 189th General Support Aviation Battalion.

The instructor pilots, flight instructors, and rescue personnel who took part will subsequently train the remainder of the company’s UH-60 Black Hawk medical evacuation (medevac) crews.

Once implemented, the Montana National Guard plans to equip its bases in Helena and Billings with VITA Rescue Systems to support search and rescue (SAR), medevac, and emergency response missions across the US state.

The Vita Aerospace system, which is mounted beneath a litter, is designed to stabilize the patient during hoist operations by reducing unwanted spinning and oscillation caused by rotor wash, wind, and aircraft movement.

“The system helps stabilize and control the litter, making the job easier for both the medic and the hoist operator during patient pickup and recovery,” said Captain Otis Smith, Commander of Detachment 1, C Company. “It provides a smoother, more controlled recovery and enhances safety for both the patient and the rescue crew.”

Smith added that following this event, attendees will then spend the next couple of weeks training the remainder of the Montana National Guard’s crew.

“From there, it becomes part of our recurring training to make sure every crew stays proficient,” he explained.

HeliOperations recently signed an agreement with Reiser Simulation and Training to acquire an AW139 flight training device and a stationary hoistAR extended reality training system.