Reservists put training to test, help save child's life Published June 14, 2007 By Capt. Caroline Lorimer 452 AMW/PA MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. -- Three Airmen from Air Force Reserve Command's 452nd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron here experienced intensive on-the-job training in May during their annual tour at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. Capt. Jennifer Pairis, AES flight nurse; Master Sgt. Marke McCracken, aeromedical evacuation technician; and Staff Sgt. Katherine Newcomer, aeromedical evacuation technician, were on alert as part of the Theater Patient Movement Requirements Center. "We were there sitting on alert for anywhere in the Pacific Air Forces," said Captain Pairis. One of the missions they were alerted for was from Saipan requesting immediate assistance for John Terorio, a 2-year-old with pneumonia and organ system failure. The three March Airmen and seven other medical people flew for seven hours on a C-17 Globemaster III in an effort to save the boy's life. "It's tense on the way there because you don't know exactly what to expect," said Sergeant Newcomer. "I'm still fairly new at operations missions, so just the tension of wondering if I'm going to do everything I need to do and hoping to help somebody." After landing in Saipan, the team was on the ground for about three hours with the patient. They evaluated him and then moved him to the aircraft for air evacuation flight. "I love my job as a nurse and taking care of patients is my element," said Captain Pairis. "Not only were we there for the patient, but the parents as well." The boy's parents sat with him and talked to their unconscious son on the flight to Hawaii. "The parents were really frightened," said Sergeant Newcomer. "But, they were a lot more relaxed when they got off the plane than when they got on." Since his air evacuation from Saipan, the boy was reported to have been taken off the ventilator and had regained his organ functions. "It's nice to be able to utilize the training we have in a non-training environment," said Sergeant McCracken. "[It's great] knowing we belong to a country that allows us to not only help our own people, but others as well. We are able to provide them with whatever level of care they need." Captain Pairis said patients like John Terorio are bound to have effect on the people who care for them. "You don't just go home and not think about them," she said. (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)