Evacuation system continues improving to get troops home Published July 3, 2008 By Capt. Jonathan Stock Air Mobility Command Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFPN) -- Since October 2001, more than 48,000 Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and Airmen have been aeromedically evacuated in support of the war on terrorism for both battle and nonbattle injuries. Air Mobility Command's Aeromedical Evacuation system provides the critical medical care from the front lines and contingencies around the world. "The AMC mission begins when our aeromedical evacuation teams are tasked for patient movement," said Maj. Sarah Coors-Davidson, the 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center aeromedical evacuation mission support branch chief. "Flights are arranged in designated theater areas to take the patients to the appropriate echelon of care, which often results in an en route stop in Ramstein (Air Base), Germany." Deployed aeromedical evacuation teams work to evacuate patients from combat theaters to hospitals close to their home of record where further care will be provided, if necessary. These often lengthy airlift transports are when the aeromedical evacuation teams must be the most vigilant. Air Mobility Command aircraft transport patients with an aeromedical evacuation crew on board, typically consisting of two flight nurses and three medical technicians. The aeromedical evacuation crew is responsible for caring for and monitoring each warfighter by helping alleviate pain, administering medications and providing nursing care during the transport. A Critical Care Air Transport Team, or CCATT, is added to the crew for all critical-care patients. The CCATT consists of an intensive care physician, critical care nurse and respiratory therapist. "The addition of CCATTs to the aeromedical evacuation system ensures that we can provide the highest level of medical care to our wounded warriors throughout their movement in the system," said Maj. Richard Wallen, the aeromedical evacuation operations branch chief. "If urgent patients need transportation immediately, the 618th TACC aeromedical evacuation operations branch allocates AMC aircraft that can be assigned," Major Coors-Davidson said. "Once cleared for flight by the flight surgeon, the aeromedical evacuation crew and CCATT, if required, can move the patients rapidly." Air Mobility Command officials have since made significant progress in giving almost all of its aircraft the ability to transport injured warfighters. Aeromedical evacuation missions are usually assigned to the C-17 Globemaster III, C-130 Hercules and KC-135 Stratotanker. This maximizes resources by using aircraft already moving in theater for aeromedical evacuation, saving time while providing a cost efficient way of moving troops. "During the first Gulf War it took more than 10 days to move troops from theater to their home units," Major Coors-Davidson said. "Now we have a standard return time of less than 72 hours. We are constantly looking at ways to reduce the return time and increase our efficiencies. As our country's men and women are put in harm's way, they can be confident that, if necessary, they will be transported to whatever echelon of care is needed to save their lives while being provided the best care in the air." Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link) View the comments/letters page