AF Academy cadets demonstrate prototypes built of toys

Published Jan. 18, 2013
By Staff Sgt. Maria Boman
375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Senior Air Force Academy cadets worked with more than 35 members from the 375th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron members during the first USAFA Patient Loading System Capstone workshop held at Scott AFB, Ill, Jan 15th.

Since August, seven cadets have been developing PLS prototypes with the goal of creating a new product for customers. The workshop provided the cadets an opportunity to demonstrate their new prototypes and receive feedback from medical personnel.

"The current PLS needs to be replaced with safer equipment for medical personnel and patients," said Maj. Samantha Treadwell, AE medical modernization division OIC. "Currently, parts have to be taken off of one PLS to fix another because the parts can no longer be ordered."

The cadets gave a presentation on the prototypes design construction, analysis and testing. Then, using prototypes made of wood, metal and legos, they presented the potential PLS replacement design concepts, including different lifts and means of elevating patients into a plane. The medical personnel tested the prototypes and provided feedback on advantages and disadvantages.

"Without inputs from the AE members, we have no guidance for what needs to be improved," said Cadet 1st Class Hayden Richards. "We hope to mesh our ideas together during the workshop. We've had about two hours of evacuation experience. They know a lot about what works best."

The 375th AES personnel also brought experience.

"Bringing AF Academy cadets here for collaboration allows for maximum feedback from experts in the field," Treadwell said. "The 375th AES is the pilot unit for all Air Force aeromedical evacuation issues, and it's critical the medical personnel are involved in the process."

The workshop is not just beneficial to the cadets working on this project--it's also important for the medical personnel who will be using the new PLS in the future.

"This is a great opportunity for cadets to come out and show us their innovations," said Maj. Michelle Wyche, 375th AES clinical management flight nurse. "They show us their ideas, and we give them feedback. This way we get an idea of what they are working on. One day, one of their inventions will be what we use."

The collaboration effort was important for Scott Air Force Base, too.

"One of Air Mobility Command's missions is AE," said Treadwell. "Within that mission, providing safe patient transport is vital. An improved PLS will aid in that effort."

This workshop is just one more stop on the road to completing this project.

"During the next semester, the cadets will select a prototype and build a smaller version to test it out," said Maj. Cody Rasmussen, AF Academy engineering mechanics department advisor. "Their final presentation is to AMC in May."