Charleston facility named after AF Reservist

by Capt Michaela Judge
315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

9/22/2014 - JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- A 315th Airlift Wing building here was dedicated in honor of an Air Force Reservist Sept. 20.

Building 416 was formally named the Master Sgt. Ronald A. Hall Aeromedical Evacuation Operations Facility in his memory and honor. Hall, who passed away in 2011, made significant contributions to the aeromedical evacuation field during a career that began in 1983.

"Air Force heritage is remembering those that made lasting contributions to the nation. When Airmen ask 'Who was Ron Hall?' it gives us the chance to explain his accomplishments and highlight the values he exemplified that we hold dear," said Lt. Col. David Ball, 315 AES chief of operations.

Hall was assigned to Charleston Air Force Base in 1987 and played a key role as an aeromedical evacuation technician and evaluator. As an AE crew member, he was qualified on C-141, C-130, KC-135, C-17 and Civil Reserve Airlift Fleet aircraft.

Hall helped to further AE's role to "preserve the fighting strength," by providing in-flight medical care aboard mission-directed aircraft used to airlift patients - essentially turning the C-17 into a flying hospital.

His service and dedication to the Air Force took him to locations all over the world to include Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Hawaii, Europe, Japan, Panama, Azores, St. Croix, and Puerto Rico.

"For 24 of his 28 years of service, Master Sgt. Ron Hall served as an aeromedical evacuation technician at the 315th AES. He became an instructor and later an evaluator teaching new generations of Airmen how to care for wounded in flight," said Ball.

Despite having a massive heart attack while on an alert crew after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Hall fought to regain worldwide mobility status and later deployed in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

Even further surpassing his love for his job was the care and time Hall spent with his co-workers, friends and family.

"In addition to his superior clinical and crew management skills, Ron was a genuinely nice guy. He was the Pitmaster; the cook for all of our BBQs... be they here at Charleston or at hotspots around the globe," said Ball.

The ceremony included remarks by Col. Diane DiFrancesco, 315th AES commander, as well as several remembrances from friends and previous co-workers. At the close of the dedication, Hall's wife and family cut the ribbon marking the official designation of the facility. The ceremony was followed by a tour of the facility and wing BBQ, representing one of Hall's favorite pastimes.

"Master Sgt. Hall was truly considered a subject matter expert within the AE community; he made tremendous contributions over the years in support of global aeromedical contingencies, exercises and training," said DiFrancesco. "Naming our operations building after Master Sgt. Hall, establishes a permanent reminder of the values that he represented to all those that had the honor to know and serve with him. The mottos "Duty, Honor, Country" were words that he embodied throughout his military career."