Wing's KC-135 transforms on medical training mission

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Wendy Lopedote
  • 916th Public Affairs Office
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  They may not have the fancy paint or their own theme music, but the 916th Air Refueling Wing has its very own Transformers. From flying gas station to long-distance cargo hauler to makeshift hospital, the wing's KC-135R Stratotankers prove that there's more than meets the eye.

One of the wing's tankers got to show off its adaptability on a mission to Alaska in August. After picking up members of the 36th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron at Pope Air Force Base, the KC-135 was transformed into a medical training facility.

The medical personnel then turned the inner fuselage into a flying beehive all the way to Anchorage, Alaska. Doctors, nurses and other medical technicians worked non-stop on the 8-hour flight, running through various scenarios they'll encounter on an actual aeromedical evacuation.

The KC-135 is a great platform for training a large group of people, said Capt. Donna K. Olson, 36th AES senior air reserve technician.
"Even with 25 people, we were able to run through many scenarios and tasks on the way out to Alaska," she said. "Having the 916th's KC-135 available made this easy to do."

Olson said the training they were able to do was invaluable as some of their members will deploy soon.

Another important part of the medical team's training was emergency egress procedures specific to the KC-135. Life support personnel and boom operators gave hands-on training that involved opening the different types of exit hatches and deploying emergency escape equipment.

"If there's ever an emergency on board, the medical people become part of the air crew," said Master Sgt. Jorge Brewer, 916th boom operator on the training mission. "It's important for them to know how to get out on their own in case one of us isn't available."

The KC-135's final transformation of the trip was to turn into a familiar playground toy. During a break in the frequent rain showers, the emergency slide near the back of the plane was deployed and each member got to happily slide down the long chute to the ground.

"The weather finally broke and we were able to deploy the slide safely," said Brewer. "The medical team really seemed to enjoy that part.

"I'm glad we were able to provide them the opportunity for productive training."