Congressional staff members learn the air mobility mission at Joint Base Andrews

Published March 2, 2011
By Master Sgt. Jeff Capenos
89th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- Thirteen Congressional staff members spent the day Feb. 18 learning more about the air mobility mission while participating on a flight with a C-17 crew. They made an airdrop and provided a simulated aeromedical evacuation mission.

The Congressional staffers departed Joint Base Andrews aboard a 14th Airlift Squadron C-17 Globemaster III and made their way over Joint Base Charleston, S.C., and then to Air Mobility Command Headquarters at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., as part of an effort to increase their understanding of AMC's mission.

"The AMC Commander, Gen. (Raymond E.) Johns (Jr.) put together this effort to provide Congressional staffers an opportunity to see and feel first-hand what our great Airmen do every day for our country," said Lt. Col. Dave Polachek, Air Mobility Command Strategic Plans and Programs Office and project coordinator.

Starting the day off at Joint Base Andrews, the Congressional staffers received a welcome and mission briefing from Brig. Gen. Carlton Everhart, 618th Air and Space Operations Center vice commander at Scott AFB.

"Air Mobility Command enables the United States to rapidly project combat power or humanitarian aid to meet any crisis at a moment's notice, anywhere around the globe," said General Everhart. "Today you're going to get a good feel for what it takes to provide airlift, air refueling and aeromedical capabilities."

Once aboard the C-17, the Congressional staffers flew south to deliver an airdrop to North Field, Joint Base Charleston. The airdrop delivered a training pallet on target from an altitude of 550 feet.

"That was very intriguing to see," said Erin Cluff, an Air Force fellow with Congresswoman Cathy McMorris-Rodgers' office. "When you're in the plane you expect to see everything tied down and secure. Then to see the back doors open and see the ground and then the pallet sliding by you and out the door is really something."

Following the airdrop the Congressional staffers arrived at Scott AFB and AMC headquarters, where they had a working-lunch with Lt. Gen. Rusty Finley, AMC vice commander, Lt. Gen. Robert Allardice, 18th Air Force commander and several other AMC senior leaders. The staffers learned about AMC and 18th Air Force's mission and received a tour of the 618th AOC (Tanker Airlift Control Center).

"TACC is fascinating. I can't believe how much information has to be coordinated for just one flight, let alone 930 flights on any given day," said Stephanie Hammond, a legislative assistant to Congressman Trent Franks of Arizona. "To think that all the airlift and aeromedical flights around the world are coordinated here in the heartland of America is amazing to me."

After touring TACC, the Congressional staffers flew a simulated aeromedical evacuation mission back to Joint Base Andrews. Members of the 375th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron re-configured the C-17 with medical equipment and loaded four simulated patients aboard. During the flight the medical crew performed simulated medical care while explaining their medical capabilities.

"What you need to understand is that all aeromedical personnel are completely dedicated to saving lives," said Lt. Col. Andrea Gooden, AMC Office of the Command Surgeon. "We have the training and full capabilities of an emergency room when we fly. And we will do all we can to save a life."

Throughout the day the Congressional staffers learned, first-hand what it feels like to fly, airlift, airdrop, schedule and perform medical evacuations. "AMC really does provide unrivaled reach for America," said Ms. Hammond.