RAF turn heads at Exercise Mobility Guardian
The RAF has been utilising its A400M Atlas as part of Exercise Mobility Guardian undertaking aeromedical evacuation training missions.
The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) has been utilising its A400M Atlas as part of Exercise Mobility Guardian at McChord Airfield, Washington, US, undertaking aeromedical evacuation training missions alongside completing aid delivery and military vehicle transportation missions.
The large fixed-wing aircraft was dispatched to Exercise Mobility Guardian on 10 August, along with medics from Tactical Medical Wing and three RAF Reserve squadrons. The aim of the exercise was to work closely with other aeromedical teams in order to simulate the evacuation of up to 300 hospital patients.
Wing Commander Ed Horne explained the benefits of the plane: “The A400 was configured right from the start for aeromed missions, we’re clearing more and more aeromedical equipment onto the aircraft. This is the first time we’ll have done any aeromed tasking on an exercise although the aircraft has been used for real with stretcher patients in the UK previously.”
The aircraft is able to carry up to 66 stretchered patients at the same time, meaning it is well prepared to complete the mass casualty situations that Exercise Mobility Guardian have thrown at it.
“The exercise is a really excellent stepping stone for us as we build more and more tactical capabilities on to the aircraft,” explained Wing Commander Horne. “Working here with the US Air Force, and in particular alongside the C-17 crews, is something we just wouldn’t be able to replicate in the UK, either for real on in the synthetic environment at RAF Brize Norton.”
According to the Wing Commander, the A400 has been turning heads at McChord Airfield, especially for those crews operating C-17 and C-130 aircraft. “The aircraft they operate are now quite old and of course ours is very new so they’re very excited about the different functionality the A400 has,” Wing Commander Horne added.