Courtesy Photo | Major Lee Ray, 455th EAES (Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron), deployed...... read more read more
By Staff Sgt. Shanda De Anda
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN -- A total force unit supports joint missions in saving the lives of the coalition men and women on the front lines in the war.
The Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and active-duty nurses, medical technicians and others who make up the 455th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron are on a mission. Their mission -- to transport injured and ill U.S. and coalition forces to locations where they can get the definitive care needed, as dictated by the type and severity of victim's wounds -- save lives.
"We do everything that we can do to make sure that the people we treat have every chance at recovering from their injuries and being reunited with their families," said Lt. Col. Mary Brandt, 455th EAES commander who has been a nurse since 1975 and in the guard since 1986.
They make this happen with teams here and teams at Kandahar, Afghanistan. Teams, which combined are comprised of 33 percent guardsmen, 55 percent reservists and 12 percent active duty-military, that also provide patients" the medical attention needed to stabilize for, and during, the more than 8-hour flight to Germany.
The synergy between total forces Airmen working together takes good teams and make them better by combining the experiences and backgrounds of each person into the focused drive to accomplish the same mission.
"They (Guard and Reservists) bring a lot to the table because our nurses contribute years of experience and some are emergency room nurses," said Tech. Sgt. Jessica Leigh, 455th EAES who has 10 years active and reserve experience. "These civilian experiences in their local communities help augment the active-duty experiences."
The melding of talents also extends into the joint arena. To help prepare patients for flights the Army medical facility at Camp Lacy here, which borders Camp Cunningham, is used.
The working relationship between Army medical professionals and Air Force nurses and techs is a positive one that transcends just working together when necessary.
"Our personnel here will work their shifts for the unit and on their off time volunteer at the Camp Lacy medical facility," Colonel Brandt said.
"Our working relationship helps improve Army and Air Force relations," Sergeant Leigh continued. This also helps subsequent deployments because the Army is here for a year at a time and it helps maintain Army-Air Force continuity during evacuations.
Internal continuity for the 455th EAES is also a significant factor in mission success for the unit. Continuity is addressed by the staggered deployment windows for units to ensure a combination of local experience with incoming people.
The blurring of lines between joint and total forces is a key contributor to the successes experienced in this region.
The 455th EAES illustrates that need in the many lives that, because of their intervention, has a greater possibility of not only surviving, but recovering from wounds from the war.
455th EAES Evac-istan -- more than just the unit's motto, it's the way they do business, save lives and combine joint, total and coalition forces to accomplish the mission.
| Date Taken: | 08.26.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 08.26.2005 17:48 |
| Story ID: | 2845 |
| Location: | BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 240 |
| Downloads: | 113 |
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