28 nations begin participation in first international AE conference

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski
  • Air Mobility Rodeo 2011 Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  With 28 nations participating, Airmen from across the Air Force and the international committee began the first-ever International Aeromedical Evacuation/En Route Care Conference July 20-21 here.

The conference aims to help build on improving the future of aeromedical evacuation throughout the globe.

"Different countries call it different things, so we wanted an all-encompassing get-together for anyone who provides any level of medical care in an aerial transportation role," said Col. Beverly Johnson, the Air Mobility Command chief of aeromedical evacuation at the command surgeon general's office. "What's most important is that we all have the opportunity to share with each other information about our respective capabilities. If we're all aware of we can each do, it's easier to come together and work quickly, effectively and seamlessly in a contingency situation."

According to AMC factsheets, aeromedical evacuation, mobility Airmen have the capability to evacuate patients from the battlefield and deployed areas using a multitude of aircraft thanks to palletized litter capabilities. Additionally, AMC aircrews now move aeromedical evacuation patients aboard KC-135 Stratotankers, KC-10 Extenders, C-130 Hercules, C-5 Galaxys, C-17 Globemaster IIIs and numerous other aircraft. Essentially, AMC can use any aircraft in the mobility fleet to airlift a patient to further care, providing greater flexibility.

The AMC fleet, coupled with a universally qualified medical crew, is able to move more rapidly and efficiently to meet the needs of injured warfighters, officials said.

"The combination of high-tech medicine, robust en-route care and rapid medical evacuation has resulted in a system that has produced the lowest lethality rate in recorded conflict," states a July 2011 talking paper on aeromedical evacuation. "Wounded warriors have a 98 percent survival rate and are returned to the U.S. in three days or less. During Desert Storm, the survivability rate was 75 percent, and it took 10 days to move wounded patients to the US. In Vietnam, it took about 45 days for casualties to return home."

Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr., the AMC commander, is the keynote speaker for the event. In addition, experts from around the Air Force as well as Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Jordan and New Zealand are addressing the group on a variety of subjects. Retired Airmen and civilians will also speak to the group.

The conference also coincides with the lead-up to the 2011 Air Mobility Rodeo, a biennial international competition that focuses on mission readiness, featuring airdrops, aerial refueling and other events that showcase the skills of mobility crews from around the world.