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Mobility commander highlights AE history, importance at conference kick-off

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski
  • Air Mobility Rodeo 2011 Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- --  The first-ever, U.S.-led international in-flight medical care conference kicked off July 20 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord with a call to action from the top officer in Air Mobility Command.

Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr. was the keynote speaker at the International Aeromedical Evacuation/En Route Care Conference, and he kicked off the event discussing how the universal need for aeromedical evacuation brings nations together to answer the call and save lives. .

As the AMC commander, Johns oversees aeromedical evacuation assets globally.

Addressing hundreds of doctors, nurses, paramedics and medical specialists from all over the world, he shared stories of how it all began. World War I pilots and medics used their own time and money to fashion a stretcher to the back of a biplane in 1913. It wasn't until seven years later that patients flew inside an aircraft, the general said.

"In the beginning, there were no dedicated AE teams," Johns said. "It was a pick up game until we fully understood the importance of having specially-trained Airmen ready to perform this mission during war and humanitarian operations."

By the time of the Persian Gulf War, military leaders applied the lessons they'd learned. "We realized we had to be prepared and make aeromedical evacuation a part of our military institution," Johns said. Over seven months of conflict, AE moved more than 2,000 patients, he said.

The general also highlighted the success of Total Force Airmen, saying "88 percent of AE missions are flown by the Guard and Reserve."

As he summarized the past 100 years of AE, the general offered a challenge to the group to "capture and keep the lessons learned from recent conflicts and humanitarian operations so we can continue to grow this incredible capability."

He then called attention to how AE is really an international effort, crediting the French for using a lighting system to help medics see better in KC-135 aircraft. The Air Force is adopting the same system as a result of its success. Johns also highlighted the efforts of British emergency medical teams who have proven themselves capable partners when it comes to aeromedical evacuation efforts in Afghanistan.
 
"Blood type knows no nationality and wounded don't worry about what flag is on the tail of the aircraft when they are transported to care. This is a mission that takes down borders and brings nations together," Johns said.

For Capt. Sam Millar, who is here from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, and oversees AE missions all over the Pacific, the conference will be "a great opportunity to talk to other people in the community and learn how they do business."

"We really have come a long way to do what we do to save lives," the captain said.

Overall, Johns welcomed everyone to the conference, which takes place July 20 and 21, and features experts from around the Air Force, as well as Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Jordan and New Zealand, sharing their stories, advice and lessons learned. Retired Airmen and many civilians will also speak to the group. Officials said representatives from 28 nations to attend the various events.

The conference coincides with the lead-up to the 2011 Air Mobility Rodeo, a biennial international competition that focuses on mission readiness, featuring airdrops, aerial refueling and other events that showcase the skills of mobility crews from around the world.