CMSAF observes USAFE missions, visits wounded troops

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Corey Clements
  • U.S. Air Forces in Europe Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AFPN) --  The chief master sergeant of the Air Force completed an aeromedical evacuation mission from Andrews Air Force Base, Md., to Ramstein Air Base and back July 7 through 10 to observe the process firsthand.

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley wanted to experience step by step what the patients go through and how the Air Mobility Command and U.S. Air Forces in Europe aircrew, medical and other support members get the job done.

The Air Force's top enlisted member said he was pleased with the work Airmen do to get wounded members of all the services from Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany through the 435th Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility at Ramstein AB and back to the states to receive further treatment.

"The Air Force's No. 1 priority is winning the war on terrorism," Chief McKinley said, "and we have Airmen who are paying the ultimate sacrifice and Airmen who are wounded ... and the aerovac mission we have is outstanding and has saved a number of lives."

To put the numbers into perspective, AMC officials have compared the time for patient movements for the last major U.S. conflicts. During the Vietnam War, it took as many as 30 days to move injured patients back to the United States. During Operation Desert Storm, that time was reduced to 10 days, and now the transport of wounded servicemembers back home is approximately three days.

At Ramstein AB, a patient movement for the 435th CASF is counted when buses take incoming wounded members from the flightline to Landstuhl, and another movement is tallied when they are returned from Landstuhl. In all, the staging facility has notched more than 68,800 patient movements for 43,400 servicemembers from March 2003 through July 4, said Maj. Paul Langevin, the 435th CASF flight commander.

Chief McKinley also visited with wounded servicemembers at Landstuhl and met with Airmen of the Kaiserslautern Military Community's First Term Airmen Center, Top 3, the Kaiserslautern Military Community 5/6 Council, and other private organizations.

Impressed by the quality and better educated Airmen of today in the Kaiserslautern Military Community and the Air Force in general, Chief McKinley said he felt secure today's Airmen will continue to make the service successful.

Chief McKinley also addressed the importance of having weekly roll calls, knowing heartfelt the Airman's Creed, and saving the Air Force time and money with the reduction in ancillary training.

Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link)

Click here to view the comments/letters page