News>Afghan Airmen expand C-27 medical evacuation support capability
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Afghan Air Force Airmen load a wounded Afghan National Army soldier into an awaiting ambulance July 20, 2011, at the AAF compound in Kabul, Afghanistan. The ANA soldiers were flown from Kandahar to Kabul to be treated at the National Military Hospital. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Matthew Smith)
by Capt. Jamie Humphries
438th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
7/26/2011 - KABUL, Afghanistan -- Afghan air force medics from Kandahar and Kabul worked together recently advancing greater medical evacuation support for Regional Command south and southwest.
That support was put to the test as Afghan National Army soldiers were transported by AAF medical airmen to the National Military Hospital here where they received further care for injuries suffered while conducting operations in the southern region.
The mission called for transport of 22 Afghan National Security Forces soldiers from Kandahar to here aboard a C-27A Spartan flown by a mixed crew of AAF and coalition pilots.
The event was significant because it will eventually expand the ability to transport more patients to and from medical facilities, officials said. A C-27 can transport 36 patients while an Mi-17 can only transport 12.
"This routine capability will lead to expansion in our medical evacuation capabilities in Kandahar and entire southern region," said Dr. (Col.) Brandon Clint, the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing surgeon general. "Organic fixed-wing capabilities in Kabul allow the AAF greater flexibility for regional support."
Led by Maj. Bernard Meadows, from the 738th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group, the planning for the mission began in conjunction with AAF medical technicians at the AAF base in Kandahar. AAF medics in Kandahar then began working with their counterparts in Kabul to bring the plan to fruition.
"The AAF flight medics at multiple locations are capable of providing patient-care to category A and some category B patients independent of adviser presence," said Dr. (Maj.) Charla Morgan, a 738th AEAG medical adviser. "With the significant and diverse training opportunities we have created, the AAF flight medics are well on their way to becoming medically capable of caring for more complicated patients."
