Travis gains new AES, med evac capabilities

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jonathon Carnell
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The 60th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron stood up during an activation ceremony here June 9.

Col. Suzie Dietz took command of the new squadron, which falls under Travis’ 60th Operations Group.  

The 60th AES’ mission is to transport wounded Department of Defense personnel by military aircraft worldwide, and the unit currently has about 64 members assigned to Travis.  

Travis’ fleet of C-17 Globemaster III are essential for the AES mission to function from coast to coast, said Lt. Col. Ronald Eller, 60th AES director of operations.

“Being at Travis AFB means we will have more flight opportunities, which will ultimately prepare our aeromedical evacuation crew members and supporting ground teams to be able to execute patient movement operations, and support rapid global mobility,” said Eller, one of several Airmen who relocated here to join the 60th AES after departing the 43rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron at Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina, after the unit deactivated.

Flight nurses and medical technicians fly with the sick and injured, while communications personnel, medical administrators, logistics members, and other ground personnel make sure aircrews have the equipment and information they need to safely care for their patients during transport.

“We have really embraced the total force effort to get the 60th AES activated,” said Maj. Amy Badillo, 60th AES operations flight commander. “There has been so much awesome support from all the Travis AFB units helping us bed down.”

The 60th AES members appreciate all the support because they have had to build their new unit from the ground up, Badillo said.

“We’ve also established a strong partnership with our Reserve AE counterpart here, the 349th AES, to assist us in utilizing their building to store our medical equipment supplies and help us with launch and recovery,” Badillo said.

Badillo, who also came from the 43rd AES, said Travis’ high-tempo flying mission provides the perfect environment in which AES members can prepare for any situation they might encounter downrange.

“We will continue to execute the aeromedical evacuation mission whether it be flying patients within the North Command, South Command, Pacific Command or Central Command,” Eller said. “We will be ready to transport patients on to the next level of care.”

Whenever a response is needed from the 60th AES, Badillo said they will be ready to perform.

“I believe our mission here will be exciting and full of opportunities,” said Eller. “We are fortunate to be here at Travis AFB in that we are on a world-class installation and have access to critical mobility aircraft.”