CASEVAC and the Golden Hour Under Persistent Surveillance (warontherocks.com)

• Persistent surveillance invalidates golden hour assumption
• Ukraine war shows need for revised CASEVAC doctrine
• Alternatives include prolonged field care and armored vehicles

"The article examines how the assumption of rapid casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) within the 'golden hour' is undermined by modern persistent surveillance. Drawing from historical origins and recent conflicts (e.g., Ukraine), it argues that drones and real-time observation prevent safe medical evacuation, forcing militaries to rethink doctrine. The piece highlights that the golden hour was never rigorously validated for combat, and now tactical realities demand alternative approaches such as prolonged field care or armored evacuation vehicles."