Throughout history, the experiences and challenges of treating the wounded on the battlefield has been a stimulus for advances in medicine. The field of transfusion medicine and component therapy has been the recipient of much experience, much based on necessity in the battlefield. Data driven indications for use of fresh whole blood (FWB) in trauma are unknown. Currently there are no randomized trials comparing whole blood to component therapy in the setting of trauma. FWB use is limited in the US although the military routinely utilizes FWB in the setting of massive transfusion as both a source of platelets and other factors when large quantities of blood are required. Drawing from battlefield experience, the speakers of this audioconference will discuss challenges and strategies used in the battlefield. Discussion will include the use of component therapy, whole blood, and frozen blood in controlling hemostasis and maintaining oxygen delivery to the tissues in the wounded military and civilian patients.