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Ground Medics train for combat

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kaitlyn Brewer
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  With a critical care mission spanning the globe, 20th Medical Group Airmen are tasked to support patients domestically and in deployed locations, making it vital to maximize their survivability.

Airmen from the 914th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron Niagara Falls Air Reserve Wing, trained 20th Medical Group Airmen on recovering and transferring patients from deployed environments, onto a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker, April 9.

20th MDG Airmen learned how to maneuver injured patients, and transition from a two to four person carry safely.

“On deployments it’s going to be completely up to these crews to transfer patients from the medical treatment facility onto our plane,” said Captain Adam Haas, 914th Air Reserve Wing AES technician. “We can land anywhere in the world and Shaw’s crew has to know how to efficiently and safely transition these people from the bus back to us.”

In order for 20th Airmen MDG to deploy, they are required to have this training and be competent in moving and transferring patients safely and efficiently.

“We came here to help the ground Medical Treatment Facility train on litter movement up until the point where the patient is on the plane and we take over from there.” said Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore, 914th Air Refueling Wing AES technician. “We are only here for one day and even though it rained during our training we made the most of it and everyone learned what we came out here to teach them.”

It is important for deployed Airmen to know the proper procedures while working alongside the 914th AES in a deployed environment.

“It’s important for us to know what to do and how to perform in conjunction with the AES,” said Senior Airman Gelyn Grant Dental Squadron dental assistant. “It was very informative and I feel like I know what to expect when I get deployed now.”