Bulgarian doctors observe aeromedical evacuation at Ramstein AB

by Staff Sgt. Warren Spearman
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

1/5/2012 - RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AMCNS) -- Four doctors from the Bulgarian Military Medical Academy visited here for a week-long aeromedical evacuation orientation.

The familiarization event took the doctors on a tour of the 86th Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility where the primary function is safe transport and staging of patients between aircraft and the next higher level of care.

"The Bulgarian familiarization event ... spanned the entire aeromedical evacuation process from A to Z," said Maj. Daniel Zablotsky, an international health specialist at the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Surgeon General's Office. "The Bulgarians are currently at a crucial point in developing their own organic AE capability, so this event presents an ideal opportunity for both the U.S. and Bulgaria to conduct valuable information cross-flow and build the foundation for future interoperability."

After touring the CASF, the doctors observed the Ramstein AB CASF team load patients onto a C-17 Globemaster III in preparation to take the patients back to the U.S. The Bulgarian doctors also learned about the 10th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron's mission, the process of setting up a plane to transport patients and the equipment used in the process. At Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, the Bulgarians toured facilities including the Air Evacuation team, the Deployed Warrior Medical Management Center and intensive care unit.

On the last day of the tour, the Bulgarian contingent participated in an AE training flight aboard a C-130J Hercules, conducted by the 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron.

"The mission was absolutely successful," said Lt. Col. Kamen Nenov, a doctor from the Bulgarian Military Medical Academy. "The staff is very well trained. Planes, equipment, everything works well together. These words are very important to me."