SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The 932nd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron took part in C-5M Super Galaxy patient evacuation training with the 142nd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, from New Castle Air National Guard Base, Delaware, at Scott AFB, Illinois, March 2.
The training consisted of setting up litters on the back of seats and in the cargo hold. Only three AES’s have been certified in the C-5 patient evacuation training. C-5 training prepares units who are uncertified to do aeromedical evacuations and to be one step closer to completing the training.
“Our prime aircrafts are [the] C-130, KC-135 and C-17,” said Senior Master Sgt. Tonya Hupp, 932nd AES Operations Superintendent. “The C-5 is our opportune aircraft that we can move patients in the event that we are needed, if there were a mass casualty.”
The training provided 932nd medical technicians with a chance to practice loading litters onto the C-5M Super Galaxy from the 512th Air Mobility Wing, Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. The process consists of fitting the litters through the aircraft doorway and navigating tight spaces in the cabin area, to safely strap the patients on litters to the backs of the seats.
Capt. Leeihnae Reese, 142nd AES flight nurse, stated that being able to train others on patient evacuation on the C-5 builds relationships and prepares units to become certified to train others on C-5 patient evacuation, or at least enable the ability to assist if needed in an emergency.
The 932nd AES and 142nd AES citizen Airmen worked together to hone their abilities to ensure that if the day was to ever come then both Squadrons would be able to work together efficiently.
“This training is so vital, currently there [are] only three units that are certified in it, we are just getting hands on training to help when we are needed,” said Hupp. “Hopefully the day never comes but if it does, we’ll be ready.”