Aeromedical Evac team saves 3-day-old baby

by Tech. Sgt. Aries D. Early
Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs

4/30/2013 - JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HAWAII -- The mission: get a newborn in dire need of heart surgery from Asia to the West Coast of the U.S. in the least amount of time while ensuring the baby remains in stable condition.

This was the situation Airmen from 735th and 613th Aeromedical Evacuation Teams were faced with April 15, 2013, here.

Pacific Air Force's area of responsibility extends from the west coast of the United States to the east coast of Africa and from the Arctic to the Antarctic, spanning more than 100 million square miles, but covering this distance can be a challenge when providing proper medical care.

The team responded when informed of the urgent requirement to assist in the transport of the 3-day-old baby and a neonatal intensive care unit from Thailand to San Diego, Calif., for heart surgery.

"Staff Sgt. Jerry Marquez, one of our newest team members, took the initial call asking for support," said Master Sgt. Darius Thomas, 613th Aeromedical Evacuation Team Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge. "He had to not only ensure an aircraft was available for the mission, but also process a crew extension waiver through our senior director."

Crew extensions are required when missions exhaust their allotted duty time, which is not hard to do with a mission traveling 11 time zones.

Once the C-17 Globemaster III landed the team had to work with the crew to offload more than 50 passengers and 10 tons of cargo, then refuel the plane with more than 100,000 pounds of fuel, all before realigning the aircraft for the critical care move.

"I was extremely impressed by the 735th Air Mobility Squadron's willingness to do whatever was necessary and they far exceeded any reasonable expectations," said Col. Ken Linsenmayer, 613th Air Mobility division chief.

Linsemayer added that an important component of the success of this mission and any other is attitude.

"Their conduct and determined attitude to execute and support this family is a testament to each member of the 735th AMS' character and integrity and is an outstanding example of military leadership and professionalism," said Linsemayer.