Helo crews keep churning out support for aerovac exercise

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey S. Williams
  • Golden Medic Public Affairs
AUGUSTA, Ga. --  As the contingency aeromedical support facility was notified of incoming patients during the Golden Medical Exercise 2007 at the Augusta Regional Airport - Bush Field, Ga., this past week, it was up to the crews of the 832nd Medical Company Air Ambulance detachment to deliver their passengers in a safe manner.

The helicopter detachment was comprised of six UH-1 helicopters, three from the Wisconsin Army National Guard, two from the Georgia Army National Guard and one came from the North Dakota Army National Guard, said Army Capt. J.D. Crill, detachment commander.

"The helicopter detachment provided exemplary service," said Col. Michael Dankosky, Golden Medic 2007 exercise director. "They made their assets available to support the exercise, and came under a single airboss. It was really impressive."

Not only did the training help the CASF, but it also helped the detachment fulfill some of its training requirements.

"If we were to deploy on a real mission, they would throw all three helicopter crews together. In this training, everyone was intermixed so we could learn how to work together," said Captain Crill. "We're here as support for the exercise. We're not being evaluated, but our training cannot be anymore realistic than this."

Some of the helicopter training accomplished included a local-area orientation, training on the rescue hoist and training with night-vision goggles, said Sergeant 1st Class Vincenzo Battaglia, the detachment's non-commissioned officer in-charge.

"This was a great operation. The Air Force supported us with what we didn't have. We're all in this operation together. There were no territorial battles going on during this exercise. I look forward to next year's exercise," Sergeant Battaglia said.

The Air Force provided some logistical support to the detachment, including the use of some equipment, providing two 15-passenger vans for transportation and meals.

Colonel Dankosky was impressed with how much flight time the detachment logged in support of the exercise.

"They flew so much they broke a motor mount on one of their ships. Their maintenance capability brought that ship back into service with minimal delay. They overcame weather issues, maintenance issues and other operational considerations," said Colonel Dankosky.

Captain Crill was just as impressed with the professionalism of the Airmen they worked with this past week.

"The experience this week was outstanding," he said. "The Air Force morale and upkeep was tremendous. Whenever we showed up, they were ready to load patients. The overall experience was great. I don't think anyone here would tell you they had a bad annual tour. It was a great experience."