Missions of mercy: reserve aeromedics turn cargo planes into flying hospitals

Breakfast is barely over when a C-141, loaded with patients from all over the world, touches down on the tarmac at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. A launch and recovery team speeds out to the aircraft and immediately goes to work helping the air evacuation crew unload the patients after a long flight. Thus begins a typical day for members of the 791st Expeditionary Air Evacuation Squadron.

Activated in February 2003 as part of U.S. European Command, the 791st comprises Air Force reservists and members of the Air National Guard whose mission is to support the war on terrorism and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Flying C-141 Starlifters and C-130 Hercules aircraft, these aeromedical specialists turn ordinary cargo planes into flying hospitals, transporting patients out of combat and other operational zones to medical treatment facilities in Europe and the United States.

"Our aeromedical specialists are world-class professionals trained on the leading edge of medical technology," said Maj. Gen. John J. Batbie Jr., Air Force Reserve Command vice commander. "These are definitely the people you want taking care of you if you're hurt."

Crews provide inter-theater operations throughout Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Africa and the continental United States.

"Since the unit's activation, we have conducted over 14,000 patient movements (each movement is a "leg" of a flight), and approximately 5,500 of these involved sending patients back to the states," said Lt. Col. James Bruhl, director of operations for the 791st.

"We are ready to go anywhere, no matter what the conditions are, to do our job," said Master Sgt. Jim Weber, charge medical technician, of Birmingham, Ala.

The majority of the people who make up the 791st EAES come from the Reserve's 514th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and the Guard's 714th AES. Both units call McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, home. They are augmented by volunteers from other Reserve and Guard units, as well as some active-duty people, who have come together to perform this critical mission.

Expeditionary aeromedical evacuation squadrons are called upon to perform many different things. In the air, critical care air transport teams and air evacuation crews provide care for a broad range of patients, from those with relatively minor medical problems to people suffering from life-threatening injuries or illnesses. A CCATT consists of one doctor, one nurse and one respiratory therapist, while an AE consists of two nurses and five medical technicians.

There's also a lot of work done on the ground to ensure the mission of the 791st gets accomplished.

"The launch and recovery teams transport crews and equipment to and from the plane," said Senior Master Sgt. Linda J. Norman, NCO in charge, 791st EAES crew management cell. "Ground support also encompasses medical logistics, radio operators, the crew management cell, administrative personnel and ground aeromedical evacuation duty officers," Sergeant Norman said. All of these people may also be tasked to perform launch and recovery duties.

Wounded service members start their journey to recovery at a combat area support hospital, where they receive immediate medical care. Once stabilized, patients are taken to an evacuation site, where they await air transport to a hospital.

On the way from Ramstein, where the squadron is located, to pick up patients, an EAES crew can configure the inside of an airplane to accommodate specific needs.

As soon as the plane lands, the doors open and the crew starts to receive patients. At this time, emergency in-flight care is started, if needed.

"Many of the patients do not need to be flown on litters," said Maj. Vanessa Mattox, medical crew director. They suffer from problems not directly related to combat, such as hernias, kidney stones, fatigue and stress, she said.

The plane completes its return trip to Ramstein, where a launch and recovery team unloads the patients and their gear. Patients then become the responsibility of the receiving hospital, usually Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. Sometimes patients are flown into Andrews AFB, Md., and transferred to one of the military hospitals in the area where they can receive additional treatment.

The primary aircraft used for the aeromedical evacuation mission are the C-141 Starlifter and C-130 Hercules. A C-141 can carry up to 103 litter patients at a time. A C-130 is somewhat smaller--it can only carry a maximum of 74 litter patients--but it can operate in many locations that the larger C-141 cannot.

Soldiers on these aeromedical flights are met by Airmen who are willing to go the extra mile to make sure their trip is the best it can be.

"These patients deserve much more than an MRE (Meal, Ready to Eat) on their way home," Major Mattox said. "The crews use their own money to buy hot dogs and cookies for our patients. The C-141 has a stove, so we fill the airplane with the smell of baking cookies and hot dogs, and it brings a smile to the patients' faces."

"The first thing I tell the patients is that I'm taking them home. The look of relief and the smile on their faces when they get a cookie and a hot dog are worth it," said Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Jodi Pritchard, air evacuation technician from Berkley Springs, W.Va.

"I flew back from Kuwait with these guys," Colonel Bruhl said. "If you ever get injured in combat, these are the crews you want taking care of you."

(Major Moore and Specialist Lucas are assigned to Headquarters U.S. European Command Reserve and Mobilization Affairs, Stuttgart, Germany.)

COPYRIGHT 2004 Air Force Reserves
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group