Aeromeds FLEX muscles in Florida Published Dec. 29, 2009 By Senior Airman Noah Johnson 934th Airlift Wing Key West, Florida -- The 934th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron converged with Florida agencies at Key West Naval Air Station for Florida Exercise Dec. 12. Approximately 90 participants from disaster relief agencies engaged in the training, learning how to properly interact with the U.S. Military Air Evacuation System during an emergency. The agencies being trained were Florida's Disaster Medical Assistance Team and the Florida Advanced Surgical and Transport Team. The training included flight line safety, the circle of safety (safe distance around the aircraft), patient packaging, proper litter carrying procedures, and loading and unloading patients and military aircraft (enplaning and deplaning). "I think it is crucial training for us, as a military, to have this training and interface with the civilian sector," says Capt. Adam Hohman, a flight nurse with the 934th AES. "Humanitarian operations are becoming increasingly common and complex." As a means to combat the growing threat of national disasters, government agencies are stepping up inter-agency efforts, such as this, to maximize response power. "Having the opportunity to train civilians on our capabilities and how we operate in and around the aircraft is vital to safely interact with them in the event of a real world disaster." says Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Cassidy, "They brought a strong mix of experience to the table, which allowed us to learn from them how they operate and what their capabilities are as well. It was a huge success."