Aeromedical evacuation team in Afghanistan provides in-air care

Published April 24, 2015
By Staff Sgt. Whitney Amstutz
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- A team of airmen assigned to the 455th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron here traveled to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan,Sunday to provide in-flight medical care to three servicemembers.

The U.S. Army soldiers sustained multiple injuries after their mine resistant ambush protected vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device.

When wounded on the field of battle, numerous variables come into play that add to or detract from servicemembers' chances of survival, and aeromedical evacuation, or AE, airmen are charged with the responsibility of tipping the scales in their favor and delivering wounded warriors to top-tier care facilities around the world.

"Our primary duties are to evacuate the sick and wounded to a higher echelon of medical care," said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Alexander Finn, 455th EAES AE technician. "We had patients that experienced (an) IED blast while driving their MRAP, and all of them experienced traumatic brain injuries."

Once notified of a medical evacuation mission, AE personnel collect medical data on their patients and prepare for whatever scenarios may unfold in-flight, a process that enables them to remain proactive rather than reactive.

To see the full article, and photo please visit: http://www.centcom.mil/en/news/articles/aeromedical-evacuation-team-in-afghanistan-provides-in-air-care.