Total Force aeromedical evacuation technicians gain unique training

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Steve Lewis
  • 459th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MELBOURNE, Fla. --  Editor's note: As one 916th Air Refueling Wing Stratotanker was Bagram-bound to do a real-world aeromedical evacuation mission, another tanker and crew were flying stateside to ensure vital training was conducted with the teams that save lives in the war zone. The accounts below demonstrate the critical mission of the tanker and our aeromed crews to train in preparation for global contingency operations.

Flying high above the east coast, a 916th Air Refueling Wing KC-135R Stratotanker passes through a summer lightning storm. The aircraft is filled with a Total Force contingent of aeromedical evacuation technicians en route to Melbourne, Fla. for a unique three-day training mission.

Midway through the flight, which had a stop at Joint Base Andrews, Md., the AE technicians don their gas masks to put out a simulated fire from the fuselage. After the fire is put out, it's time to check on patients also aboard the aircraft.

Training scenarios like this were part of a weekend mission June 25-27, aimed at integrating AE units from the Reserve and regular Air Force.

Capt. Constance Mackus, 36th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron scheduler, Pope Air Force Base, N.C., helped organize the weekend training in Melbourne. In order to get the mission up and running, she had to work closely with the 440th AES, Air Force Reserve, also assigned to Pope AFB, and personnel from the 459th AES at Joint Base Andrews.

"There are a lot of variables to mission planning," said Capt. Mackus. "But overall, I thought the weekend was valuable for everyone."

The 36th AES recently began working directly with the 440th AES, whom are now operating side-by-side in the same building at Pope AFB.

Capt. Vanessa Moses, 440th AES flight commander of aircrew training, said training missions like the one in Melbourne are unique.

"There's no difference in our training requirements. It's all one standard." said Capt. Moses. "I think the mission we had this weekend was a plus for everyone."

Once the team touched down in Melbourne, they also learned how to assemble and operate a Personnel Support Pallet along with other training scenarios throughout the weekend. A PSP is used aboard aircraft like the KC-135R to carry patients and medical equipment.

"The more you work with a PSP, the more comfortable you become. And when you have patients aboard an aircraft and on PSPs, your ultimate goal is making sure everyone is safe and secure" said Tech Sgt. Carl Stewart II, 459th AES aeromedical evacuation technician.

Sergeant Stewart joined the 440th AES and the 36th AES weekend mission in order to show them how to operate a PSP and prepare for future deployments by using the equipment. He's attended allocation conferences in the past, which are geared toward organizing integrated training missions like the one in Melbourne.

The Total Force Integration both at Pope AFB and in the skies above Florida is something also often found on deployments and in the Area of Responsibility. AE technicians from the Reserve, Air National Guard and the regular Air Force are blended together to complete the mission.

Tech Sgt. Daryl Bradley, 43rd AES evaluator, has experienced working with Reserve and ANG counterparts while serving overseas in the past.

"Regardless of rank and service, it's all one big melting pot. When we fly downrange, we mix and match everyone, no matter if they're in the regular AF, Reserve or Air National Guard," said Sergeant Bradley.

Sergeant Bradley also said some medical positions aboard an aircraft can be interchanged, which is not based on rank or service. Medical aircrews normally are comprised of a Medical Crew Director, flight nurse, a Charge Medical Technician, 2nd Medical Technician and 3rd Medical Technician.

"You can have a Chief Master Sgt. in the 3rd Medical Technician position and an Airman First Class in the Charge Medical Technician position. But when you bring all those things together, and you bring all the group dynamics together, that's when everything gels together, " said Sergeant Bradley. "When you figure out how to work together, it's absolutely amazing what you can do for patients."

As Total Force Integration missions like the one in Melbourne continue to occur, AE technicians will be able to improve their skills and experience necessary for future deployments into the Area of Responsibility.

"Training like this shows everyone how alike we really are," said Sergeant Stewart.