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Global Aeromedical Evacuation Continues Improving to Get Troops Home

  • Published
  • By Capt. Jonathan Stock
  • AMC Public Affairs
Also known as the air ambulance for the military and the joint warfighter's "lifeline home," the Air Mobility Command's Aeromedical Evacuation system provides critical medical care from the front lines and contingencies around the world.

Since Oct. 2001, more than 48,000 Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and Airmen have been aeromedically evacuated in support of the Global War on Terror for both battle and non-battle injuries.

"The AMC mission begins when our aeromedical evacuation teams are tasked for patient movement," said Maj. Sarah Coors-Davidson, 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center, Aeromedical Evacuation Mission Support branch chief. "Flights are arranged in designated theater areas to take the patients to the appropriate echelon of care, which often results in an en route stop in Ramstein, Germany."

Deployed AE teams work to evacuate patients from combat theaters to hospitals close to their home of record where further care will be provided, if necessary. These often lengthy airlift transports are when the AE teams must be the most vigilant.

AMC aircraft transport patients with an AE crew on board, typically consisting of two flight nurses and three medical technicians. The AE crew is responsible for caring for and monitoring each warfighter by helping alleviate pain, administering medications and providing nursing care during the transport.

A Critical Care Air Transport Team (CCATT) is added to the crew for all critical-care patients. The CCATT consists of an intensive care physician, critical care nurse and respiratory therapist.

"The addition of CCATTs to the AE system ensures that we can provide the highest level of medical care to our wounded warriors throughout their movement in the system," said Maj. Richard Wallen, Air Mobility Command, Aeromedical Evacuation Operations branch chief.

Historically, the C-9 Nightingale aircraft was dedicated for AE missions before being retired in 2004. AMC has since made significant progress in giving almost all of its aircraft the ability to transport injured warfighters.

"If urgent patients need transportation immediately, the 618th TACC AE Operation's Branch allocates AMC aircraft that can be assigned," said Maj. Coors-Davidson. "Once cleared for flight by the flight surgeon, the AE crew and CCATT, if required, can move the patients rapidly."


AE missions are usually assigned to the C-17, C-130 and KC-135. This maximizes the use of resources by utilizing aircraft already moving in theater for AE, saving time while providing a cost efficient way of moving troops.

"During the first Gulf War it took more than ten days to move troops from theater to their home units," said Maj. Coors-Davidson. "Now we have a standard return time of less than 72 hours. We are constantly looking at ways to reduce the return time and increase our efficiencies."

"As our country's men and women are put in harm's way, they can be confident that, if necessary, they will be transported to whatever echelon of care is needed to save their lives while being provided the best care in the air," said Maj. Coors-Davidson.