I spent my tour in Iraq with a STOMP II Aid Bag.  This is a very nice and large Aid Bag.  However, there are several problems with it in my eyes that made it a less than perfect bag.  First of all, I am not a fan of the “one big pouch” design.  Granted inside the big center pouch is some zippered pouches and the large outside pouch has loops and zippered pouches, its just not configurable enough for me.  Secondly, its a big square without any real internal frame.  It has a soft padded foam back, and the straps are not big enough to shoulder the bag comfortably over an IBA.  My Aid Bag generally weighed about 60 -70 pounds.  I carried everything but the kitchen sink on my back, whether the particular mission called for it or not.  Sometimes I could get away with leaving it in the hummer while I carried a smaller homemade “leg rig” I designed from a SAW pouch and a couple of utility pouches.  The thing is the STOMP II ended up making my back ache terribly after a short time since the frame was soft and the bag didn’t sit right on my back due to the frame and straps.

Anyway, the thing is that since we have gotten back I have been evaluating different Aid bags for the section.  We can’t have a multi-bag configuration (which is optimal in my mind) due to the cost of these bags, so I am rtying to find the best option.  Since the Blackhawk was not my optimal pack, I tried to revert to my old Tactical Tailor Trauma Pack.  I used to love this bag.  I could fit everything I needed and I could put a couple of molle pouches on the outside for my quick access items.  The thing is, its not the right solution either.  Its smaller than the STOMP II, but the foam back is not even as dense as the STOMP II bag’s.  Since its stuffed to the hilt as well, it makes it extremely uncomfortable to carry, especially in an IBA where you can’t sit the bag high enough on your back so it ends up pulling down on you all day.

Finally, when we redeployed, I discovered our rear detachment had been holding some London Bridge LBT-0996F Medical Bags since we deployed.  Everyone I know had nothing but praise for LBT bags, so I thought I would give it a try.  It met most of my specs being multi-pouched for configurability, tough material, comfortable straps, etc.  It even came with a poleless litter.  It still had the stupid foam back panel though.  I thought I might have found my new pack until I put it next to my STOMP and TT Trauma Pack.  This bag is way too small.  When I packed it, I had about a third of my supplies left to put somewhere. 

So in the end we ended up ordering 15 more STOMP II’s.  They are cheaper and bigger than the LBT bags (LBT even has a STOMP II rip-off), and better quality than the TT bags.  I still have the three bags sitting in my house while I lament the size of the LBT and wish for a bag like that but bigger.  The STOMP II might even fit the bill if they would put the MOLLE loops back on the outside like the original Spec Ops Bag had.  Then I could at least attach my quick access pouches to it.

Now for my optimal bag in case some manufacturer would like to listen to someone who has to carry the thing around all day.
1) LBT-099F style bag but with the cubic inches of the STOMP II
2) Extra MOLLE Loops on the outside for accessories
3) A RIGID frame.  Come in guys!  We carry 60-70 pounds in these bags.  The Army Rucksacks all have some kind of rigid frame for packs carrying the same amount.  It fits your back better and allows much better adjustment without being uncomfortable. 
4)  Longs straps for more adjustability over IBAs and other gear.  Straps must have a quick release just like all other MOLLE/ALICE gear so we can dump it quickly if need be.
5) Jumpable.  Maybe extra clip points so I can attach it to my MOLLE Ruck like the new assault bags do.
You can skip the Hydration Pouch as those things just take up space inside and make the bag ride on your back weird.  Beside with a rigid frame and MOLLE loops you could attach a Hydration pouch to the outside of the bag.  Beleve me, this works well and doesn’t throw balance off to bad if its configured correctly.

Finally, I will outline my optimum configuration for a line medic on patrol.  Basically, it boils down to a two bag configuration, which isn’t optimum for ground infantry, but I have a caveat later.  The first bag is a compact bag like the LBT-0996F with needed supplies just for the patrol.  The second bag is a larger bag like the STOMP II with MASCAL and other supplies not normally needed on a foot patrol.  This bag is kept back at the vehicle (usually a vehicle acts like a CCP anyway) so that when you evacuated the patients back to the CCP you could open it and have access to more gear.  This is more, or less the configuratoin I ended up with in Iraq.  A leg rig with enough stuff to get me back to the vehicles for short dismounts, the STOMP II on my back for longer patrols, and a third MASCAL Bag in the trunk with nice extras such as pelvic splints, extra kerlix, fluids, and Field Medical Cards.  The configuration worked wonderfully for most situations, although humping the STOMP II around made my back ache after about 3-4 hours dismounted.  The caveat I mentioned above is for when you are on extended foot patrol.  You can take extra supplies and divvy them out amongst the platoon thereby eliminating the second bag.  This method also allows every soldier to carry IV kits and extra dressings in their assault packs meaning any soldier or CLS can initiate care till the medic gets there.

So, I have a question for any other field medical personnel that might be reading?  what are your thoughts and what do you use as a Combat load?

• STOMP II - http://www.blackhawk.com/product1.asp?P=60MP01&C=C0940
• Tactical Tailor Trauma Pack - http://tacticaltailor.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=44
• LBT-0996F Medical Bag - http://www.londonbridgetrading.com/m1webgear/ProductDetails.aspx?PartUniqueID=36B9AA5F-2A1A-405B-B62D-DAE0AFD70B82

I have two seperate Aid bags. I have the STOMP 2, which I use, and I also have the Blackhawk Special Ops medical bag. I do not use the Special Ops bag because I have found it to be too small for my needs, so now it just contains the extra supplies that I don’t want to keep in my regular use Aid-Bag (Extra box of gloves, tons of extra fluid) so that I can resupply my regular use Aid-Bag easily.

Because my STOMP II weighs about 45 LBS, I have a MAV from Tactical Tailor. I put 2 of the 3 Mag Panels in the middle, and on each side is 1 Modular Zipper Utility Pouch and 1 Zipper Utility Pouch (One of the kinds withe the extra pocket in the front). In each of the Modular Zipper Pouches I keep a ziplock bag that has a 500ml bag of Hextend plus the other supplies needed to set up a saline lock, and also an Israeli bandage and some kerlix. I haven’t set up the other pouches quite like I want, but Tactical Tailor has a product called the Intermediate Treatment Bag that comes with 2 small pouches, kind of like the ones that come with the STOMP II bag (One pouch for meds, the other for whatever). If the Tac Tailor pouches are small enough, I want to get 2 to put my airways and some extra bandages in, my set up for my MAV would be:

Pouch w/ Hextend + bandages - Pouch with Airways - Magazines - Pouch with extra bandages - Pouch w/ Hextend + bandages.

I wouldn’t feel bad about leaving my Aid-Bag in the truck because I can at least carry some basic stuff on me to take care of 2 or 3 people w/o it.

I had this bag as well in Iraq.  I found it in a pile of junk when we moved in.  Its where I kept all my Sick Call Meds.  Fit perfectly behind the rear HUMVEE seat and I would use it most of the time around Iraqis.  If I pulled out my STOMP II they figured it was time for a MEDCAP and would line up in droves.

I reserved my STOMPII mainly for dismount patrols as it was so heavy.  My homeade leg rig worked quite well for security missions and such where the trucks were within 100 yards or so just for the reason you mentioned, I can get back to the big bag in a hurry if need be and treat soldiers from the leg rig till then.

How big is that bag? I’ve looked at that bag before in the Tac Tailor catalogs, but I thought it was only about as big as a CLS bag. In what ways is that bag better than the standard CLS bag?

In reality its about as big as a large Fanny Pack. Not really as good as a issue CLS Bag, but good for niche uses.  Like I said I found it in a pile of junk on the FOB and used it to hold Sick call meds, band-aids, etc cause it was small and easily accessible.  Also I didn’t need to worry about bringing out the STOMP II just for a couple aspirin..

In Afghanistan we have to hump quit a bit more than Iraq (and up and down mountains) so weight is a really important factor when packing an aid bag.  I have been using 2 seperate bags - one for mounted and one for dismounted patrols.

The mounted bag is very small.  I use either one of the issue MOLLE bags (with no attached pouches), or a tactical tailor M5…  Both are small enough to carry inside the cab of a humvee, unlike a STOMP bag.  This bag is packed with nothing but trauma supplies and weighs about 25-30 pounds.  I could shed even more gear as there are certain things that I have never used, but I want them in case I ever need them.  I use another bag in the trunk to carry sick-call meds and resupply for my small bag.

My dismounted bag is made by SO Tech.  It is the only aid bag that I have ever seen that is made for overnight operations (more room for misc non-medical supplies - sleeping system, socks, MRE’s etc…)  It has a large main pouch sort of like the LBT bags, but the bottom zips open and has another large pouch to store other non-med gear.  We have guys who use that Tactical Tailor first responder bag as an aid bag when we are in the mountains…  I might be picking one up soon.

London bridge makes the best bags, in terms of quality - but they cost an arm and a leg.  I got one for free, I really like it, but opted to use the SO tech bag instead for overnighters.

I wear an SO Tech chest rack.  On it I carry 9 M4 mags, some M9 mags, and two of the issue molle pouches packed with SOF-T Tourniquets, some gauze, and an israeli dressing or two.

Believe it or not, I really like the camelbak BFM with the insert that is sold separately. I have only the original Blackhawk aid bags (Stomp I?), Stomp II and the G.I. ones to compare it too, but I like it far better than any of these.  I have a heavily loaded out vest for missions when my aid bag stays in the truck.