Editing Ambulance (section)

==Military use==
[[File:Survivor ambulance.jpg|left|thumb|An [[RMMV Survivor R]] in ambulance configuration.]]
[[File:VAMTAC ambulancia.JPG|thumb| 150px|An [[URO VAMTAC]] ambulance of the [[Spanish Army]] emblazoned with the [[Emblems of the Red Cross|Red Cross]]]]
[[File:World War I ambulance Pittsburgh 20th Century Club.png|thumb|left|1917 Red Cross ambulance]]

Military ambulances have historically included vehicles based on civilian designs and at times also included armored, but unarmed, vehicle ambulances based upon [[armoured personnel carrier]]s (APCs). In the [[World War II|Second World War]] vehicles such as the Hanomag [[Sd.Kfz. 251|Sd Kfz 251]] half-track were pressed into service as ad hoc ambulances{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}, and in more recent times purpose-built AFVs such as the U.S. [[M1133 medical evacuation vehicle]] serve the exclusive purpose of armored medical vehicles. Civilian based designs may be painted in appropriate colors, depending on the operational requirements (i.e. camouflage for field use, white for [[United Nations peacekeeping]], etc.). For example, the British [[Royal Army Medical Corps]] has a fleet of white ambulances, based on production trucks.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}} Military helicopters have also served both as ad hoc and purpose-built air ambulances since they are extremely useful for [[MEDEVAC]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.century-of-flight.freeola.com/Aviation%20history/helicopter%20history/M.A.S.H.%20Medevac%20Helicopters.htm|title=M.A.S.H. medevac helicopters|access-date=2 June 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070617052953/http://www.century-of-flight.freeola.com/Aviation%20history/helicopter%20history/M.A.S.H.%20Medevac%20Helicopters.htm| archive-date= 17 June 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref> In terms of equipment, military ambulances are barebones, often being nothing more than a box on wheels with racks to place manual stretchers, though for the operational conditions and level of care involved this is usually sufficient.

Since [[laws of war]] demand ambulances be marked with one of the [[Emblems of the Red Cross]] not to mount offensive [[weapon]]s, military ambulances are often unarmed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icrc.org/ihl.nsf/CONVPRES?OpenView|title=International Committee of the Red Cross policy on usage|access-date=2 June 2007|publisher=International committee of the Red Cross| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070706014427/http://www.icrc.org/IHL.nsf/CONVPRES?OpenView| archive-date= 6 July 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref> It is a generally accepted practice in most countries to classify the personnel attached to military vehicles marked as ambulances as [[non-combatant]]s; however, this does not always exempt medical personnel from coming under fire{{snd}}accidental or deliberate. As a result, medics and other medical personnel attached to military ambulances are usually put through basic [[military training]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.armyjobs.mod.uk/jobs/pages/JobExplorerResults.aspx?category=6|title=UK Army information on basic training for medical personnel|access-date=1 November 2009|publisher=British Army|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090917085424/http://www.armyjobs.mod.uk/jobs/pages/JobExplorerResults.aspx?category=6|archive-date=17 September 2009}}</ref> on the assumption that they may have to use a weapon. The laws of war do allow non-combatant military personnel to carry individual weapons for protecting themselves and casualties. However, not all militaries exercise this right to their personnel.

[[File:USNS Mercy T-AH-19.jpg|[[USNS Mercy (T-AH-19)|USNS ''Mercy'']], a U.S. Navy hospital ship|thumb|left]]
The [[Israel Defense Forces|Israeli Defense Forces]] modified a number of its [[Merkava]] [[main battle tank]]s with ambulance features in order to allow rescue operations to take place under heavy fire in [[urban warfare]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defense-update.com/products/m/merkava-lic.htm|title=LIC Modeled Merkava Mk-3 Baz / Mk 4|access-date=2 June 2007|publisher=Defense Update |date=July 27, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070627140305/http://www.defense-update.com/products/m/merkava-lic.htm|archive-date=27 June 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> The modifications were made following a failed rescue attempt in which [[Palestinian people|Palestinian]] gunmen killed two soldiers who were providing aid for a Palestinian woman in [[Rafah]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3713585.stm|title=Three dead in fresh Gaza clashes|access-date=2 June 2007|work=BBC News | date=14 May 2004}}</ref> Since [[M113 armored personnel carrier|M-113]] armored personnel carriers and regular up-armored ambulances are not sufficiently protected against [[anti-tank]] weapons and [[improvised explosive device]]s,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/cv/inf/M113.html|title=Technical data on armament of M113 APC Ambulance|access-date=2 June 2007|publisher=Inetres}}</ref> it was decided to use the heavily [[Vehicle armour|armored]] [[Merkava]] tank. Its rear door enables the evacuation of critically wounded soldiers. Israel did not remove the Merkava's weaponry, claiming that weapons were more effective protection than emblems since Palestinian militants would disregard any symbols of protection and fire at ambulances anyway.{{Citation needed|date=February 2010}} For use as ground ambulances and treatment & evacuation vehicles, the [[United States military]] currently employs the M113, the [[M577]], the [[M1133]] [[Stryker]] medical evacuation vehicle (MEV), and the [[RG-33]] heavily armored ground ambulance (HAGA) as treatment and evacuation vehicles, with contracts to incorporate the newly designed M2A0 armored medical evacuation vehicle (AMEV), a variant of the [[M2 Bradley fighting vehicle]] (formerly known as the ATTV).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hurd |first1=William W. |last2=Jernigan |first2=John G. |title=Aeromedical Evacuation: Management of Acute and Stabilized Patients |date=18 April 2006 |publisher=Springer Science & Business Media |isbn=978-0-387-22699-6 |page=55 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7JYMBwAAQBAJ |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://1-22infantry.org/history/forcexxiattv.htm|title=1-22 Infantry tests ATTV|website=1-22infantry.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dodig.mil/audit/reports/fy01/01012sum.htm |title=Bradley AMEV |access-date=6 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120916215904/http://www.dodig.mil/Audit/reports/fy01/01012sum.htm |archive-date=16 September 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Some navies operate ocean-going [[hospital ship]]s to lend medical assistance in high casualty situations such as wars or natural disasters.<ref name=ship1>{{cite web|title=US Navy Military Sealift Command – Hospital Ships|url=http://www.msc.navy.mil/inventory/inventory.asp?var=Hospitalship|access-date=17 June 2007|publisher=US Navy Military Sealift Command| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070629172753/http://www.msc.navy.mil/inventory/inventory.asp?var=Hospitalship| archive-date= 29 June 2007 | url-status= dead}}</ref> These hospital ships fulfill the criteria of an ambulance (transporting the sick or injured), although the capabilities of a hospital ship are more on par with a [[Mobile Army Surgical Hospital]]. In line with the [[laws of war]], these ships can display a prominent Red Cross or Red Crescent to confer protection under the appropriate [[Geneva Convention]]. However, this designation has not always protected hospital ships from enemy fire.<ref>{{cite web|title=The sinking of HMHS Llandovery Castle |date=30 October 2000 |orig-year=1920 |url=http://www.gwpda.org/naval/lcastl11.htm|publisher=World War One Document Archive|access-date=27 June 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070714232216/http://www.gwpda.org/naval/lcastl11.htm| archive-date= 14 July 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref>