What is the role of fire superiority in Care Under Fire (CUF)?

Fire superiority in the context of Care Under Fire (CUF) plays a crucial role in the safety and effectiveness of medical interventions on the battlefield. The primary objective during this phase is to suppress hostile fire, which creates a more secure environment for both the casualties and the medical personnel. By establishing fire superiority, friendly forces can limit the enemy's ability to engage effectively, reducing the immediate threat to the injured individuals and those attempting to provide care.

When fire superiority is achieved, it allows combat medics and corpsmen to focus on administering life-saving measures without the immediate concern of enemy fire. This facilitates a more effective and timely response to the casualties while maintaining the safety of all personnel involved.

The emphasis on suppressing hostile fire demonstrates the tactical nature of CUF, where the priority is to ensure safety before providing comprehensive medical care. This strategy ultimately increases the chances of survival for wounded soldiers in hostile situations.