USTRANSCOM, AMC train for aeromedical evacuation
SCOTT AIR FORCE, Ill. (USTCNS) --- U.S. Transportation Command and its Air Force component, Air Mobility Command, combined with a US Air commercial airliner, complete with a civilian aircrew, to conduct extensive training in aeromedical patient evacuation procedures.
The commercial airliner was at Scott AFB for three days to conduct training during which active duty and reserve medical crews took part in on-board training in this Boeing 767 that was specially configured for patient movement.
USTRANSCOM is charged with the movement of wartime casualties from the combat theater to regional medical facilities then onward to the United States as necessary.
"CINCTRANS is the executive agent for global patient movement," said Navy Cmdr. Jim Mitchell, senior medical operations officer in the USTRANSCOM Surgeon's Office. "All patient movement is coordinated through the Global Patient Movement Requirement Center, located here at Scott Air Force Base (under the direction of USTRANSCOM)."
There are additional Theater Patient Movement Requirement Centers that belong to U.S. European Command located in Ramstein, Germany and U.S. Pacific Command, located in Yokota, Japan.
In addition to these facilities, during a contingency, USTRANSCOM deploys a Joint Patient Movement and Requirements Center to support the supported CINC with patient movement in his area of operations. This center is manned with staff from the GPMRC and reserves from the Joint Training Reserve Unit.
USTRANSCOM and AMC ensured the maximum number of personnel were available to receive the training.
"This is very important training…because AE (Aeromedical Evacuation) CRAF (Civil Reserve Air Fleet) planes will be the primary airframe for patient movement for those patients returning to CONUS," said Mitchell.
Commercial airliners in this program are critical to moving personnel from the overseas regional medical centers to the United States. By using civil aircraft outside combat theaters, military airlift aircraft are more available for use in moving combat personnel, equipment and supplies.
Airliners in the CRAF participate in the program by converting normal passenger jet aircraft for use as medical evacuation aircraft. Participating carriers are given prescribed time parameters for converting the aircraft and making them available for military use.
The civilian flight crew provided instruction to military medical crews on the procedures used to prepare the aircraft for patients. AE flight personnel used mannequins to act as patients for the movement.
In-flight training included procedures for loading / unloading patients, overview of in-flight medical equipment, installation of the patient loading system, rapid descent and other possible aircraft emergency conditions. AE flight crews were also given an overview of the location and use of emergency equipment available on-board and its appropriate use.
The aircraft will fly to other locations around the United States to provide training for medical crews during the course of the next few weeks.
Participants in the training include members of USTRANSCOM and AMC's Surgeon's Office, Air Force Reserve Command, and the Air National Guard.
The commercial airliner was at Scott AFB for three days to conduct training during which active duty and reserve medical crews took part in on-board training in this Boeing 767 that was specially configured for patient movement.
USTRANSCOM is charged with the movement of wartime casualties from the combat theater to regional medical facilities then onward to the United States as necessary.
"CINCTRANS is the executive agent for global patient movement," said Navy Cmdr. Jim Mitchell, senior medical operations officer in the USTRANSCOM Surgeon's Office. "All patient movement is coordinated through the Global Patient Movement Requirement Center, located here at Scott Air Force Base (under the direction of USTRANSCOM)."
There are additional Theater Patient Movement Requirement Centers that belong to U.S. European Command located in Ramstein, Germany and U.S. Pacific Command, located in Yokota, Japan.
In addition to these facilities, during a contingency, USTRANSCOM deploys a Joint Patient Movement and Requirements Center to support the supported CINC with patient movement in his area of operations. This center is manned with staff from the GPMRC and reserves from the Joint Training Reserve Unit.
USTRANSCOM and AMC ensured the maximum number of personnel were available to receive the training.
"This is very important training…because AE (Aeromedical Evacuation) CRAF (Civil Reserve Air Fleet) planes will be the primary airframe for patient movement for those patients returning to CONUS," said Mitchell.
Commercial airliners in this program are critical to moving personnel from the overseas regional medical centers to the United States. By using civil aircraft outside combat theaters, military airlift aircraft are more available for use in moving combat personnel, equipment and supplies.
Airliners in the CRAF participate in the program by converting normal passenger jet aircraft for use as medical evacuation aircraft. Participating carriers are given prescribed time parameters for converting the aircraft and making them available for military use.
The civilian flight crew provided instruction to military medical crews on the procedures used to prepare the aircraft for patients. AE flight personnel used mannequins to act as patients for the movement.
In-flight training included procedures for loading / unloading patients, overview of in-flight medical equipment, installation of the patient loading system, rapid descent and other possible aircraft emergency conditions. AE flight crews were also given an overview of the location and use of emergency equipment available on-board and its appropriate use.
The aircraft will fly to other locations around the United States to provide training for medical crews during the course of the next few weeks.
Participants in the training include members of USTRANSCOM and AMC's Surgeon's Office, Air Force Reserve Command, and the Air National Guard.
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