Death's victory denied by 934th aeromeds

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Darrell Habisch
  • 934th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Minneapolis-St. Paul --  'Deny Death's Victory' is the motto and mission of the 934th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. And they're very serious about it. To reach the skill level for victory, most training must be accomplished during flight, where the aeromeds' life-saving work is performed. And they must be proficient and universally qualified in the C-17, C-130 and the KC-135 as well as prepared to utilize any opportune aircraft to transport patients. A tall order for any AES, especially reservists with limited access to flights as the 96th Airlift Squadron is tasked with more worldwide missions, keeping aircraft far from Minnesota many months at a time. 

Maximizing Reserve resources is the answer to this dilemma, according to Lt. Col. Sherry Hemby, 934th AES commander. Quarterly allocation conferences are held to match various Reserve unit flights with aeromedical training requirements. "This ensures all aeromedical flight nurses and medical technicians are universally qualified and are able to provide confident, excellent patient care," she explained.
Reserve teamwork was on display Jan. 16 when a C-130 from the 302nd Airlift Wing, Peterson AFB, Colo., flew to the 934th Airlift Wing. Seven 934th AES aeromeds joined the crew in a cross country flight to MacDill AFB, Fla., for three days of training. 

"This is how different units come together," Capt. Wynn Pfeiffer, 731st Airlift Squadron and co-pilot stated. "It helps the aircrews understand how the aeromeds work and to see firsthand that standardization plays a huge part in the success of a medical mission. When we're flying them, we know what to expect and how they work." Senior Airman Kyle Wilson, 302nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, agreed. "Whenever we're flying an AES, we see that they all train the same and that helps me do my job better."
Procedure standardization is extremely important as more than 88 percent of Air Force aeromedical evacuation capability resides in the Reserve and Guard, according to Hemby. 

Maj. Mick LuCore, 934th AES aircrew training flight nurse, explained "When you're deployed, that's where all the training pays off. We follow the publications and regulations. They all come into play when we deploy with other units. We're all on the same page." 

This particular cross-country mission stressed in-flight emergencies, such as a cabin fire while treating orthopedic, burn, cardiac and psychiatric patients. Aeromedical technicians and nurses would respond to each situation first with an eye to their own safety and then to the best interests of their patients.
They must also have intricate knowledge of the workings of the aircraft they are serving in. Hands-on training for emergency egress and safety procedures are taught. "Everyone must be current on the aircraft they are flying in," explained Senior Master Sgt. Shane Lohmann, 934th AES flight instructor/examiner. That includes knowing the locations of emergency life rafts, procedures for loss of cabin pressure and providing oxygen to themselves first and then patients. "We have a good integration between guard and reserve units," he said. "More flights mean more opportunities to train on different aircraft." 

Engines running on and off-load of patients, preparing litters, equipment, bandages, oxygen and medications according to the needs, and expected needs of patients. "We train like we fight," said Colonel Hemby.
Cargo aircraft are not flying hospitals, she explained. "It's different in the air than on the ground." The stresses of flight, such as noise, dehydration, jet lag, vibration, all take their toll on the caregiver as well as the patient. "Our scenarios are as realistic as possible," she continued. "Even if our folks haven't yet deployed, they should feel like they have. They're ready to treat patients suffering with blast injuries from improvised explosive devices to those with psychological difficulties to everything in between."
Combined training missions also bring together many different people with varying degrees of experience. "Many of our people work as trauma nurses and medical technicians in intensive care units with years of experience," explained LuCore. "Sharing this knowledge helps everyone. It's very common that as reservists we practice what we do as civilians." 

Staff Sgt. Rachel Snook, 934th AES aviation resource manager, observed the combined training mission and participated as a 'patient.' "It's great to see exactly what type of training our people go through," she said. Observing a mission helps her "Understand what we really do. That helps me to better track everyone's qualifications and be sure that they're always ready." 

In addition to saving training costs, combined training missions between units reinforce the Air Force wingman tradition, according to Major LuCore. "Mixing personnel from different Wings creates crew integrity," he said. "We know where everyone is at. We stay together and watch out for our wingman."
No matter the reason why a reservist serves, whether it is for patriotism or perhaps school tuition benefits, Major LuCore summed up the aeromeds' feelings with, "We're very lucky to serve our country in this fashion."