Mobile CASF training course now available worldwide

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jacob Corbin
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  Sheppard Air Force Base medical training took another step toward the future with the certification of the Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility Mobile Training Course taught here.

"Certification means we can go anywhere now and teach the course," said Maj. Tammy St. Armand, an instructor supervisor for the 381st Training Squadron's CASF course. Those interested in having the CASF Mobile Training Course visit their base or exercise should contact the 381st TRS at 940-676-3639.

The course was certified by both Air Education and Training Command and Air Mobility Command in February and teaches members of all services the CASF concept of operations.

"We take doctors, nurses, medical technicians and other medical (specialties) from different places and bring them together to teach them unfamiliar equipment, aircraft safety and flightline operations," said Tech. Sgt. Thomas Phillips, an instructor supervisor with the 381st TRS.

The CASF mobile training course got its first test when 14 instructors taught the course at Pacific Lifeline, a joint-service exercise held at Barking Sands Pacific Missile Range, Kauai, Hawaii, in February.

The team spent the first week teaching Pacific Lifeline members the CASF course, a full 60 hours of training. Following the training, the instructors acted as observers offering critiques and advice during the exercise.

During the exercise, the CASF was the only part of the 900-person exercise to "go off without a hitch," Sergeant Phillips said.

In addition to the CASF doing exceptionally well in the exercise, three of Sheppard AFB's instructors were named top performers by 13th Air Force officials. Tech. Sgt. Eddie Ragland; Staff Sgt. Kevin Kiger; and Staff Sgt. Ken Steinbeck, all medical readiness course instructors with the 381st TRS, were lauded for their "above and beyond performance and dedication to the CASF."

Tech. Sgt. Corey Quinn, a CASF course instructor supervisor with the 381st TRS , said training in an exercise environment allows for more realistic training. Sudents go from training on aircraft mock-ups, to loading real aircraft under simulated combat conditions.

"What we teach in the course is pretty much what happens in theater," Sergeant Phillips said.

The training is part of the constant improvement the CASF has undergone since the Vietnam War.

During the Vietnam War, it took nearly 45 days for a wounded servicemember to make it home, said Major St. Armand. Now it takes 36 hours from the time they're brought into medical care to the time they arrive in the U.S. -- and even less time if they're transported to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany.

In addition, 97 percent of those who enter the medical care system now arrive home safely.

"The mission of the CASF is not just important to one part of the mission," Sergeant Phillips said. "It's important to the family members of those injured. It's important that they know their loved ones will get back home safely."

The CASF Mobile Training Course will travel next to Patriot 2008, a joint exercise at Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wis. 

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