US reserve air medics train onboard C-17
Members of the US Air Force Reserve 315th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron took advantage of a humanitarian aid mission to conduct medical training
Members of the US Air Force Reserve 315th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (AES) took advantage of a humanitarian aid mission being undertaken by the 300th Airlift Squadron to conduct medical training inside the C-17 Globemaster III being used in the mission.
The aircraft and its crew had been tasked with bringing six pallets of humanitarian aid to Ramstein Air Base, Germany, which were destined for northern Iraq.
“Working with the flying squadrons creates a unique opportunity for our medics to train in the air and still supporting the mission,” said Master Sgt Johnny Gomez, 315th AES medical technician. “Our job takes place in the air, from training to real world.”
The opportunity to train in the air is priceless, said the unit, and offers the chance to train in an unstable environment, accounting for issues that can only occur when in the air. Although the reserve airmen’s civilian medical jobs assist them, being in an airborne environment can be very different.
“The stresses of flight, from changing altitudes to in-flight turbulence, provides real-world experiences for our medics,” said Tech. Sgt Maria Wesloh, 315th AES mission crew co-ordinator. “Many scenarios they’re facing while training is based on real-life events we’ve faced before.”
She added: “Our hope is that the flying medics will learn what to do the first time within a training environment. That way, if the real thing happens… they’re ready.