| 44 Medical Task Group | |
|---|---|
 44 Medical Task Group insignia | |
| Founded | January 1978; 48 years ago (1978-01) |
| Country |  South Africa |
| Branch |  South African Army |
| Type | Airborne Assault Medic |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Commandant Kriek Williamson |
| Insignia | |
| Ops Medicidentification_symbol_2= |  |
South Africa's44 Medical Task Group, part of7 Medical Battalion Group, is permanently attached to44 Parachute Brigade. The Task Group consists of parachute qualified Ops Medics, specialist soldiers who perform the recovery, stabilization and evacuation of wounded soldiers from behindenemy lines.[1]
44 Medical Task Group is similar in function to the United States Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) Pararescuemen (also known as PJs), who are tasked with the recovery and medical treatment of personnel in humanitarian and combat environments.
Based at 44 Parachute Regiment, Tempe, Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa. 44 Medical Task Group consists of a platoon-sized medical contingent consisting of Operational Medical Support Operators or Ops Medics.
Para Ops Medics are trained under two main criteria:
Para Ops Medics are qualified under Basic Life Support III. They are trained to stabilize patients, stop bleeding, maintain airways, suture wounds, administer drips and perform lifesaving medical procedures while evacuating patients out of a combat area.[2]
All members of 44 Medical Task Group are static line parachute qualified. Selected members are also Freefall, High Altitude Low Opening (HALO)/ High Altitude High Opening (HAHO) and/or Tandem parachute qualified, enabling the Medical Task Group to support the Parachute Battalions, Parachute School and Regiment in their full spectrum of requirements.