927th Wing Public Affairs
12/16/2014 - MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- When most think of a hospital, a spacious high-tech brick and mortar multi story building comes to mind, but for the men and women of the 45th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron here, their "hospital" gives a whole new meaning to the slogan "come fly the friendly skies. "
These highly trained aeromedical professionals have one focus, to bring our wounded warriors home alive. This doesn't come easy, initial and ongoing training is essential to keep these "flying medics" working together as a well-oiled machine. A fully trained aeromedical evacuation technician, not only needs to complete the necessary medical schools but also an array of flight related schools such as Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape.
"Coming in as a flight nurse or a (medical) technician requires much more than drilling once a month and two weeks a year like a typical Reservist" said Capt. Christopher Dorion, flight nurse, 45th AES. "We fly one local mission and one cross country mission a month, so you can pretty much expect on being away from home two weekends a month"
Flying hospitals can be set up in a many different airframes, such as the C-130, a C-17 or a HH-60, but for the 45th AES their recent training mission was aboard a MacDill based KC-135 Stratotanker. The KC-135 is primarily designed as an air-to-air refueling platform, but can be rapidly configured to carry multiple critically injured warfighters.
"When we need to move a patient, it is essential that we are able to adapt a variety of aircraft quickly and efficiently, lives depend on it," said Senior Master Sgt. Kelly Latham, aeromedical technician, 45th AES.
During the three-day training mission, aeromedical evacuation professionals were put to the test with scenarios ranging from an out-of-control psych patient to an inflight emergency that resulted in a patient going into cardiac arrest.
"Inflight emergencies can be very stressful on patients, they will each react differently, so not only do the techs have to respond to the emergency but they also have to keep close eye on their patient's reactions to it," Dorion said. "They have to be on top of their game"
Scenario after scenario flight nurses and aeromedical technicians stepped up, working together as they were one.
"In each scenario, technicians are expected to react and respond with the appropriate care and answer the "20" questions," said Dorion. "Every year we have to regain our currency and make sure we are still proficient."
The training scenarios start well before takeoff; AES technicians gathered for a comprehensive briefing discussing the care of each patient, their condition, and every drug and piece of equipment that will be needed aboard the aircraft.
"You don't want any surprises when you're at 30,000 feet, you don't have the option to run to the pharmacist for medication, or down the hallway to get a piece of lifesaving equipment," said Master Sgt. Mary Beth Young, aeromedical technician, 45th AES. "If you don't have what you need it could be the difference between life and death."
Today statistics show that injured Soldiers, Seamen, Airmen, and Marines have a 98 percent survival rate once they make it into the skilled hands of an AE team.
"We could and we do run these scenarios back at the squadron, but when you're up here it's a different world," said Latham. "Many more factors come in to play, the noise, cramped space, the motion of the jet and inflight emergencies that we can not simulate back at the office."
And this kind of care in not limited to those who walk upright, military working dogs are extended the same top-notch care.
"I remember one trip we brought back a MWD, he was involved in a blast, but they are treated just like the rest, they are a vital part of the team," said Latham. "Everyone from the flight crew would come back and check on him, his handler ended up adopting him."
The feeling of pride and honor echoes throughout the 45th, and most share the same thoughts.
"I call this the best job I wish I didn't have, knowing that these men and women are out there sacrificing their lives for me, it is an honor, it is a privilege and it is extremely humbling to take care of them," said Young.
"I just returned from a 6 month deployment, very satisfying, bringing our wounded warriors home to their families is so gratifying, there really are no words to describe it," Dorion said.
"A lot of mixed emotions, very very honored to bring these guys back, it can be gut wrenching, but very rewarding," said Latham.
Editor's note: The 45th AES falls under the Air Force Reserve 927th Air Refueling Wing here.
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