Kandahar graduates basic flight medics

  • Published
  • By Capt. Jamie Humphries
  • 438th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
KABUL, Afghanistan (AFNS) --   Four medics recently graduated at the Kandahar Air Wing from the first Afghan air force Basic Flight Medic course, boosting the Afghan medical response capability.

According to medical professionals, the goal of the 40-hour course was to combine ground and flight medical training to produce a better-rounded medical professional.

"The course was meant to be only half emergency patient care, point-of-injury care and the rest included an introduction to flying in aircraft such as the Mi-17 and C-27 (Spartan)," said Tech. Sgt. Steve Guillen, a medical adviser with the 738th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron. "The course is still in its infancy and, just like all courses, is developed for technical training. It will need to evolve and develop as the (Afghan air force) does."

Throughout the course, Afghan air force medics practiced basic emergency patient management, point- of-injury care procedures, aircraft and flight line safety, aircraft evacuation and emergency procedures and preflight patient assessment techniques.

The course was essential for Afghan air force medics to learn the necessary skills to become flight medics and will help bridge the gap between the ground medic skills they've already learned and flying medical evacuation missions, Guillen said.

Another goal of the course was to provide KAW four certified flight medics who are capable of flying missions without adviser oversight. Medical advisers said they were happy with the results as they feel confident the course accomplished its goal with the students now being prepared to accept patients arriving from Helmand province and ensuring those patients are ready for transport.

Officials who taught the course said although the class was a success, it will now be taught exclusively by instructors at Pohantoon-e-Hawayee, the Afghan air force's "Big Air School" in Kabul, with lesson plans being finalized now.

"I was thrilled to help the (Afghan air force) by completing the course," Guillen said. "This opportunity gives me the chance to not only help train the (Afghan air force) hands on, but help develop this course and tailor it to (their) needs. Not many U.S. Air Force medics can say they developed an entire (technical) school course for a country."

The new graduates also shared thoughts on the training.

"We are very happy to receive the certificate for training, so we can officially be flight medics and help our country when they need us," said Afghan air force medic Master Sgt. Soor Gulap.