Simulation analysis of army casualty evacuations

Abstract

Since war games and field exercises are very expensive, mathematical models are often developed to analyze military systems. In this study, the authors investigate a brigade casualty evacuation system (BCES) via simulation. Specifically, they model the existing BCES of the Turkish Army and analyze the system to improve the patient flow processes in main facilities. The proposed model aims to provide the necessary information to the commanders in a maneuver, logistics, and medical unit about casualties such as time in medical facilities, waiting times in doctor queues, utilization of doctors, and percentages of casualties who return to duty or are sent to higher level medical facilities. The simulation model is also used to compare several alternative system designs and evaluate their impacts on system performance. The result of this study highlights the major problem areas of the system and the possible ways to deal with them.