Scott, Pope Field team up for C-17 aeromedical training

by Airman 1st Class Melissa Estevez
375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

12/3/2015 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Il. -- Aeromedical evacuation experts from Scott AFB recently teamed up with AE crews from Pope Field, North Carolina, for a collaborative Air Mobility Command training initiative Nov. 16-20.

For the weeklong exercise, both teams were flown to Pope Field in a C-17 Globemaster III by the 6th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey.

There were 41 medical personnel who flew between Scott and Pope, which gave each AES team the opportunity to maximize training on that aircraft without having to navigate around cargo.

"The 6th AS has not only allowed us a week of training on their C-17, but also negated any travel costs for the 43rd and 375th AES crews by flying between each location. The 6th AS is acquiring training time as well, so it's a win for all three of us," said Maj. John Hein, 375th AES Operations Flight commander.

Scott's AE crew trains, mobilizes, and deploys nearly 150 members each year to support aeromedical evacuation missions aboard C-21A, C-17A, C-130E/H/J, and KC-135R aircraft.

Capt. Nicole Ward, 375th AES flight nurse, said, "First, we set up the litter configuration, oxygen and electrical lines, and then verified we had adequate emergency oxygen systems for our patients in the event we had an in-flight aircraft emergency."

Once all the equipment and personnel were set up, multiple challenging scenarios were presented to the crews to include patient problems both with mannequins and co-workers acting as patients, as well as dealing with simulated in-flight aircraft emergencies.

Hein said, "Combined training provided both squadrons invaluable experience on the C-17, a plane that's not organic to Pope Field or Scott AFB. The ability to get in-garrison aeromedical evacuation training on the C-17 is invaluable because it's one of the primary aircraft we conduct patient movement on while deployed."

McGuire's Capt. Stephen Ching, C-17 pilot, explained that the size and versatility of the aircraft allows plenty of room for people and equipment which makes it an exceptional aircraft for aeromedical training.