Photo By Brannen Parrish | Capt. Diana Mazzota, a flight nurse with the 433rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron...... read more read more
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-KELLY - The 18th Air Refueling Squadron and the 433rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron teamed up to conduct aeromedical evacuation training, May 11-12.
The training allowed 433rd AES members to set up litter systems in conjunction with the aircraft's AE configuration, practice caring for patients in-flight and simulate in-flight emergency procedures.
While the KC -135 Stratotanker is well-known for its superior aerial refueling capabilities, it's aeromedical evacuation capabilities may be rather inconspicuous except to medical personnel, patients and Stratotanker crews.
Capt. Diana Field, a flight nurse from the 433rd AES is familiar with the Stratotanker's qualities.
"One of the advantages of using the KC-135 for aeromedical evacuations is that the ride seems to be a lot smoother, which is easier on the patients and the mission goes by a lot faster, " said Field. "When I was in Baghram [Afghanistan] flying with patients to Ramstein [Germany], we were usually aboard a KC-135 or a C-17."
The KC-135 can cruise at speeds greater than 500 miles per hour, and can carry more than 200,000 pounds of fuel which creates faster patient travel, eliminates stops and the eliminates the need for another refueler on long flights.
The 433rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron doesn't have its own aircraft but it does have the ability to convert any cargo aircraft into a flying ambulance. So when the squadron learned a KC-135 and an aircrew from the 18thARS would be in Texas to provide a refueler for the Formal Training Unit's C-5 Galaxy students, they jumped at the opportunity to practice converting a Stratotanker into a patient transporter.
"We don't get the opportunity to train on the KC-135 very often because there is no local KC-135 unit," said Master Sgt. Cate Rinard, aeromedical evacuation technician, 433rd EAS. "We try to take advantage of the KC-135 whenever we can get one."
The 18th ARS, which is the only flying squadron assigned to the 931st Air Refueling Group at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas arrived three days ahead of their scheduled training to help the 433rd AES get some valuable Stratotanker time.
Aircrews recognize how the importance of the AE mission and how it supports warfighters.
"The AE mission is one of the reasons I wanted to cross train to the KC-135," said Matt Tener, a boom operator from the 18th ARS. "It's a huge plus to be able to help patients."
Piggybacking on an existing mission resulted in cost savings for the Air Force money by eliminating the need to bring in a KC-135 aircraft and crew solely for AE training.
"As a Total Force Initiative unit, we at the 931st Air Refueling Group understand the importance of bringing cost-effective solutions to real-world challenges," said Col. Mark Larson, 931st ARG Commander. "We consider it an honor and privilege to be able to support the 433rd AES because they take care of our fighting men and women down range. By giving them an opportunity to become more familiar with the Stratotanker, we are able to impact the quality of care they can provide."
| Date Taken: | 05.13.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 05.13.2013 10:14 |
| Story ID: | 106836 |
| Location: | WICHITA, KS, US |
| Web Views: | 189 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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