Taiwan Military Tests Wartime Medical Response in Han Kuang Exercise

Taiwan's First Operational Command on Penghu Island conducted a critical casualty rescue and medical evacuation drill on August 8, 2026, as part of the ongoing Han Kuang 42 military exercises. The exercise simulated a scenario where a unit sustained a large number of casualties after an enemy artillery bombardment, testing the rapid response and coordination of military medical personnel.

During the drill, soldiers acted as casualties, immediately establishing a casualty collection point (CCP) after the simulated attack. They performed self-aid and mutual aid, triaged their injuries, and provided initial treatment before requesting evacuation. The process involved disarming casualties, re-assessing injuries based on the MARCH protocol (Massive hemorrhage, Airway, Respiration, Circulation, Hypothermia/Head injury), and documenting their status.

When the on-site command assessed that local medical resources were insufficient, an urgent request for support was made through the medical logistics system. A field medical unit dispatched specialized ambulances to the battlefield to transfer casualties to a field hospital. From there, they were further evacuated to Penghu regional hospitals, validating the emergency response and evacuation chain.

The exercise also focused on verifying the coordination and communication between various rescue stations and the medical evacuation system. It assessed the readiness of medical supplies and the ability to request logistical support from both the First Operational Command and mainland Taiwan if necessary. The drill underscored the importance of robust wartime medical capabilities to sustain combat effectiveness.