From the front lines of Eastern Europe to the cutting edge of military medical technology, the U.S. Army is rapidly advancing how it delivers lifesaving blood in combat.
In exercises spanning across Lithuania and Germany this May, soldiers from multiple units tested a variety of groundbreaking techniques to resupply and administer blood under simulated battlefield conditions—highlighting both the innovation and urgency that surrounds combat casualty care.
On May 15, soldiers from Charlie “Lifeline” Company, 173rd Brigade Support Battalion, conducted a drone-based blood resupply operation at Pabrade Training Area in Lithuania. The drill was part of Exercise Swift Response 2025, and it marked a significant milestone in using unmanned systems to support medical logistics.
“Aerial resupply of blood is pretty cool for us,” said Capt. Jessica Knoll, commander of Charlie Company.
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“One big initiative we’re working on is getting whole blood as far forward as possible. Having drone capability means we’re not risking soldiers driving into hostile areas just to deliver blood. A drone — not to say it’s expendable — but it’s more expendable than a soldier’s life.”
Using a TRV-150 drone, the team delivered simulated blood to Role 1 field care locations—typically the first point of medical aid after injury.
The event involved coordinated efforts from the 160th Forward Resuscitative Surgical Detachment, the 519th Field Hospital, the 68th Theater Medical Command, and the 7384th Blood Detachment.
This collaboration demonstrated how technology can shrink the gap between battlefield injury and life-saving intervention.
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“This is our third time working with Flying Basket to drop blood using drones,” Knoll said.
“We’ve tested a few methods — paratroopers jumping with blood at Saber Junction, pushing blood out of airplanes — but this drone delivery is really buying down risk. Instead of sending an entire medic crew forward, we can now send a drone with Class VIII supplies or blood.
“So far, we’ve flown about 3 kilometers with the drone, but it’s capable of more. That’s just what we’ve trained for now.”
But none of this would be possible without the blood products themselves—real and simulated—which were prepared by the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Blood Services Program in partnership with the 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron at Ramstein Air Base.
In support of Defender Europe 25, more than 1,000 blood products were prepared for transport to Lithuania via U.S. Air Force aircraft.
Defender Europe, the Army’s largest annual deployment exercise in the European Theater, includes an estimated 25,000 U.S., allied, and partner troops from 29 countries and 18 host nations. As part of this massive operation, the blood resupply component plays a crucial role.
“Providing both real and simulated blood products is crucial for supporting real-world contingencies and the fighting military force,” said Sgt. 1st Class Raymond Clark, non-commissioned officer-in-charge of the LRMC Blood Services Program.
“Real blood ensures immediate availability for transfusions during combat casualties, addressing critical needs for volume resuscitation and oxygen-carrying capacity.”
Simulated blood, while not usable for transfusions, has become an indispensable part of training.
“Simulated blood products, on the other hand, play a vital role in training and preparedness,” Clark added.
“They allow medical personnel to practice life-saving procedures in realistic scenarios without depleting limited real blood supplies. This dual approach ensures readiness, improves medical skills, and ultimately enhances the survivability of our soldiers on the battlefield.”
Meanwhile, in Hohenfels, Germany, the 501st Aviation Battalion, 1st Armored Division took part in Exercise Combined Resolve 25-2, focusing on a different aspect of battlefield transfusion—point-to-point and autologous transfusions.
Combat medics practiced extracting and administering blood directly between individuals in simulated mass casualty environments.
“A point-to-point blood transfusion entails taking blood from one person and ensuring that it’s the same blood type or something acceptable for the recipient’s blood type,” explained Capt. Aaron Chapman, an air medical physician assistant with the 501st Aviation Battalion.
In future conflicts, where large-scale casualties and delayed evacuations are anticipated, such immediate interventions may be essential.
“In today’s world, in a large-scale combat environment, we won’t have the luxury of someone coming to get us when we want a MEDEVAC,” Chapman said.
“What that means is when we have guys who are losing a lot of blood, this will help us save those who need that blood using battle buddies, peers and other people who we know are willing and able to help.”
In another variation of the training, soldiers conducted autologous transfusions, in which blood is taken from and then returned to the same individual.
The goal: replicate the process of blood management in the field while avoiding the risks of transfusion reactions.
“The idea is that this simulates real transfusion of blood in an emergency setting, but it significantly reduces the risks of having a blood transfusion reaction if we move blood from one patient to another patient,” said British Army Maj. Catriona Kemeny, a medical officer with the 4th Regiment, Army Air Corps.
“If we can train hard, maybe we can fight easy, so that actually when we have to do it in reality, we’re already well practiced,” Kemeny added.
As these exercises demonstrate, the Army is reimagining combat casualty care—not just with futuristic technology like drones, but through hands-on, realistic training that sharpens both skills and survival rates.
From Lithuania to Germany, the message is clear: the faster and safer blood gets to the battlefield, the better chance every soldier has to make it home.
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