Aeromedical jamboree trains reservists for overseas mission

Published Feb. 16, 2009
By Maj. Bill Walsh
315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Aeromedical evacuation squadrons from six bases around the country forfeited Valentine's Day weekend to train together here Feb. 14-15 as part of an annual aeromedical jamboree.

Charleston's 315th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron hosted the event, which brought three different aircraft together to give crews the training they need to be qualified on each plane.

"We have to be 'tri-qualified,'" said Master Sgt. Willie Epperson of the Air Force Reserve's 459th AES from Andrews AFB, Md. "Everyone has to be able to work on all three airframes - the C-130, C-17 and KC-135."

The medical crews consisted of teachers, evaluators and students. Each part of the mission is critical to moving wounded service members out of hostile areas such as Iraq and Afghanistan.

"It 's important to bring us together in a central location where we can get many of our qualifications checked off on the same day," said Col. (Dr.) Dom DeFrancis, command surgeon for Air Force Reserve Command. "The job these AES crews do every day, around the world is amazing."

Starting with static, non flying training and ending with a flight up the East Coast is part of the jamboree.

"This takes a lot of coordination," said Col. Cherie Roberts, 315th AES commander. "There is a lot of adjusting to the different environments each airplane brings."

Members of Charleston's 317th Airlift Squadron flew the C-17 aircraft. Squadron pilots and loadmasters gain valuable training and experience airlifting medical professionals in and out of the different theaters of operation.

"We make it a team effort," explained SSgt. Lisa Hanes, a medical technician from Andrews AFB. "We might have to deploy short notice and have to be ready."

The statistics prove how important this job really is. The aeromedical squadrons can boast a 95 percent survival rate of patients because of the speed which they operate.

"Getting them stabilized, to the stage and into the jets make all the difference in the world," said Colonel Roberts. "We have to fly at least every 90 days, but this type of training lets us get a lot done in a short time."

As the huge jet cruised through the skies above, the reservists train for the deployments overseas that many of them will undertake in the next couple of years saving countless lives.

Over and over, these men and women turn cargo jets into flying hospitals bringing America's heroes home from the fight to the family and friends they left behind. (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)