JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- The 62d Medical Squadron partnered with the 4th Airlift Squadron to conduct aeromedical evacuation training on a C-17 Globemaster III at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, Sept. 21, 2023.
The exercise was held to familiarize the 62d MDS with the C-17’s capabilities and to identify the loadmaster’s role when it comes to emergency transportation of patients in the aircraft.
Along with familiarization of the aircraft, this training doubled as an opportunity for non-medical Airmen to learn the steps it takes to load and off-load patients safely while tending to their medical needs. This supports the 62d Airlift Wing’s mission to develop ready Airmen that prepare the wing to win.
During this training, 62d MDS Airmen toured the inside and outside of the aircraft and practiced on and off-loading a litter onto the back of a C-17. This allowed the Airmen to see first-hand what it’s like to communicate with each other in a different, louder environment than they are used to. Loadmasters with the 4th AS were able to showcase what support they can offer during medical transportation as well.
“As a loadmaster this training is helpful because it’s not something that we get to do a lot,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. William “Leroy” Jenkins, a C-17 evaluator loadmaster with the 4th AS.
Jenkins went on to explain how, in a real-world scenario, the loadmasters will prepare the aircraft so that medical can safely tend to their patients and prepare them for aeromedical evacuation.
According to Jenkins, while on-board the aircraft and flying, medical personnel can communicate with the aircrew via the Internal Communication System on the jet, and Tanker Airlift Control Center and higher headquarters can communicate “big picture” coordination through Aero-iMessage and radios. The difference would be if higher headquarters needs them to fly to a certain location, they get the message through Aero-I or Comm 1 radios. If the medical personnel on board need something, they let the aircrew know in person, or someone is hooked up on the aircraft comms to communicate their needs.
In addition to medical personnel, the 62d MDS also brought in Airmen who work closely with doctors but may not have experience with direct patient care to learn the steps to save someone’s life in an emergency situation. This further enables the 62d Airlift Wing’s multi-capable Airmen to execute today’s global airlift mission.
“This training gives our medics the opportunity to experience the aircraft in a low-threat environment where they can do things they wouldn’t normally do and see things that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to see,” said Maj. William Seigfreid, a flight surgeon with the 62d MDS.
According to the Air Force Medical Readiness Agency, MEDIC-X is the Air Force Surgeon General’s initiative to develop a standardized medical force with broad skills common to all medical specialists as necessary to enhance and improve patient care outcomes in contested environments.
“Yesterday, the 62d Medical Squadron fulfilled three objectives through the C-17 familiarization,” said Lt. Col. Ray Mamuad, a senior nurse with the 62d MDS. “Accomplishing MEDIC-X training, gaining valuable insight into the daily work habits of our patients to better understand and treat them, and showing our medical staff how they’re directly tied to the 62d Airlift Wing mission. Yesterday was a win for our team on so many levels.”