TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. —
The 72nd Medical Group just lately carried out joint coaching with the 137th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron at Will Rogers Air Nationwide Guard Base in Oklahoma Metropolis.
The coaching targeted on enhancing the abilities and coordination of the medical and aeromedical evacuation groups to raised put together them to work collectively throughout real-world situations.
Nurses, Aerospace Medical Service Technicians, and Unbiased Obligation Technicians from the 72nd MDG discovered about and gained hands-on expertise with medical tools they may use in contingency environments however would not have entry to at their location. Additionally they reviewed therapy particular to the aeromedical evacuation portion of enroute affected person care whereas familiarizing the 137th AES with the medical group’s function within the mission.
“On the finish of the day, what all of us care about most is protected affected person motion and continuity of care,” stated Lt. Col. Christopher Lane, 137th AES commander. “This annual coaching actually helps improve our collective medical data for after we deploy and work collectively. Within the U.S. there are solely 9 AES within the Guard, 18 within the Reserve and two lively obligation, so our partnership is slightly distinctive since most medical teams would not have the power to conduct familiarization coaching with native aeromedical evacuation squadrons.”
In the course of the coaching, the medical and aeromedical evacuation groups labored collectively to simulate real-world situations involving the evacuation of injured sufferers. 137th AES Aeromedical Evacuation Technician Flight Instructors guided members by correct litter carries, security when approaching the plane, and customary instructions used throughout affected person loading. Simulated sufferers had been then transported by the bottom medics and loaded onto a C-130 Hercules plane fuselage coach.
“This joint coaching was an incredible alternative for our groups to work collectively and hone our expertise,” said Lt. Col. Andrea Whitney, 72nd Medical Group chief nurse. “We have now Complete Medical Readiness coaching necessities that may be tough to finish with out this partnership. We’re dedicated to offering the best stage of affected person care, and it is important that our Medics have as a lot publicity to what they may see within the contingency setting. We’re grateful to our Whole Drive companions on the 137th AES for offering this coaching alternative to assist us be higher ready for any scenario.”
The 72nd Medical Group and the 137th AES are each crucial elements of the U.S. Air Drive’s medical readiness and response capabilities. By conducting joint coaching workouts like this, these groups are higher outfitted to supply life-saving care to injured service members and civilians in occasions of disaster.