Aeromedical evacuation members train on visiting C-17

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Gerald Sonnenberg
  • 932nd Airlift Wing
Scott Air Force Base, Ill. --  Nineteen members of the 932nd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (AES) were able to test their skills and their stomachs on board a visiting C-17 Globemaster from March Air Reserve Base, Calif. 

The ensuing excitement was all in a day's work for the AES. The aircraft was already on the tarmac as the sun rose on Saturday of the August UTA. Ninety minutes later, the AES citizen Airmen were loading and securing their medical equipment on board the aircraft which can take off weighing more than 580,000 pounds.

Once the crew and passengers were airborne, the aircraft's nose was pointed north toward the U.S./Canadian border. A short flight later, everyone was prepped for a bumpy ride as they entered the practice area. 

AES members were tossed and turned in a variety of low-level maneuvers.
By 2:30 p.m., the aircraft touched down on Scott Air Force Base's runway. For some on board, the flight on the C-17 was a first. 

"It was just awesome," said one AES member. "This was great universal qualification training on a big, brightly-lit aircraft," said Maj. Shaun Carter.