Airbourne Allies: Reserve Citizen Airmen Sharpen In-Flight Medical Skills Published April 24, 2025 By Staff Sgt. Alexis Orozco 944th Fighter Wing LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Airmen assigned to the 944th Fighter Wing’s Aeromedical Staging Squadron participated in a joint aeromedical evacuation training event with the 944th Critical Care Air Transport Team, 56th Fighter Wing Medical Squadron and Arizona Army National Guard flight medics at Phoenix-Goodyear Airport in Goodyear, Ariz., April 16-17. The training, conducted aboard a C-17 Globemaster III from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, enhanced readiness, improved interoperability and prepared participants for patient movement in high-stress environments. “This was a chance for our Airmen to apply their skills under pressure,” said Senior Master Sgt. Justin Sanderson, 944th ASTS functional manager. “It’s one thing to talk about the stress of flight, but experiencing it firsthand gives our medics and nurses the tools they need to manage their patients more effectively.” Scenarios focused on patient movement, maneuvering in tight aircraft spaces, and providing medical care during flight. Airmen managed non-ambulatory patients and addressed in-flight stressors such as nausea and pain while adapting to the physical effects of flying. Joint-service training was a major emphasis of the event. Medics from the Air Force Reserve, active-duty Air Force and Army National Guard collaborated, reinforcing the importance of teamwork in multi-component operations. “When we bring together Air Force, Army National Guard and CCATT medics, it fosters better communication and collaboration across services,” said Tech. Sgt. Scott Denlinger, 944th ASTS aerospace medical technician. “This exposure helps everyone learn new techniques and strategies, and that makes us all better equipped for any mission.” The 944th Fighter Wing, the Air Force Reserve’s largest training wing, continues to emphasize mission ready Airmen who are adaptable in any operational environment. “We’re all working toward the same goal, but each of us brings unique experiences and skill sets,” Denlinger said. “It’s this blend of experiences that makes joint operations effective.” For many junior enlisted personnel, it was their first time aboard a C-17, where they were strapped to a litter during takeoff. Staff Sgt. Payton Manning, a newer member of the 944th ASTS, explained how the experience was eye-opening. “It’s my first time flying on a C-17, and it’s definitely bumpier than I expected,” Manning said. “But it’s also great training because we get to experience what patients go through. It makes us more prepared when the mission happens for real.” Beyond clinical skills, the training built trust and strengthened networks across the force. “It’s also how you network in the military and bond with those people you experience stuff alongside,” Manning said. “Seeing all the other components and what our roles actually play in the larger scale of the military really helps with the overall training event.” The event wrapped up with confidence in the team’s preparedness. “The more training opportunities we have, the more prepared we become,” Manning said. “When a mission does happen, we won’t be walking in blind. We’ll walk in with the knowledge and experience we need to do our jobs successfully.”