Airmen from the 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron at Kadena Air Base recently were kept busy while 'aerovacing' patients on a KC-135 Stratotanker Dec. 18 from Yokota Air Base, Japan. Members of the 18th AES travel throughout the Pacific picking up critical patients and transporting them to hospitals that can meet their needs.

Every week a team of medical professionals here cares for critically-ill patients being evacuated by air from bases around the Pacific. Airmen from the 18th AES use a combination of medical expertise, state-of-the-art equipment and human compassion to provide in-flight care to patients until they can be transferred to a facility that offers a higher level of care.

The members of the 18th AES fly aboard Kadena AB-based KC-135s from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, making regular weekly runs to airlift patients from bases in South Korea and mainland Japan. They can also respond at a moment's notice to medical emergencies all over the region.

"There is no predictability to our mission," said Col. Terri Reusch, the 18th AES commander.

"We call it the 911 service. Need help? Call us and we'll get you where you need to go." The squadron's primary mission is to support medical operations in wartime, during contingencies and during natural disaster relief operations that occur within the Pacific theater. Airmen of the 18th AES, along with their partners in the 909th ARS, maintain a 24-hour alert for emergencies outside the weekly patient pick-up schedule.

"We have people responding at a moment's notice and qualified to care for critical patients until the proper care is available," Colonel Reusch said. "It takes a lot of coordination."  The ability of the squadron to mobilize quickly, using timely airlift and the most advanced equipment available means that patients receive the critical care they need in flight to survive and recover from serious illnesses and injuries.

"Within 36 hours we can have patients moved to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C." Colonel Reusch said. Squadron members stand ready to provide advanced in-flight medical care for more than 540,000 beneficiaries in the Pacific, primarily military members, families, and Department of Defense civilians, said Capt. Deborah Willis, an 18th AES flight nurse.

Patients may receive care from the 18th AES for hours and sometimes even days as they are transported from one location to the other. The key is preparation, Captain Willis said.

"We configure the aircraft for our patients, whether they are litter or ambulatory," the captain said. "We make sure that we have everything we need in the aircraft." Typically working in five-person teams, the members of the 18th AES aim to get patients to the next level of care quickly and safely.

"Patient safety and stability is our only focus until we get the patients to the hospital," said Staff Sgt. Zurkina Gunter, an 18th AES aeromedical evacuation technician. The versatility of the squadron means that it can provide the same high level of care aboard a variety of Air Force platforms.

"Any available aircraft can be diverted to carry passengers or patients, whether it's a C-17 (Globemaster III), C-130 (Hercules) or KC-10 (Extender)," Colonel Reusch said. [ANN Salutes Tech. Sgt. Rey Ramon, 18th Wing Public Affairs]

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