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81st MDG conducts air evacuation training

Staff Sgt. Ryan Wallace, 81st Aerospace Medicine Squadron, explains to 81st Medical Group members assets that the C-130 aircraft contains for air evacuation during a training session on the flightline March 14, 2013, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. The training project was a Joint Air Medical Integrated Showcase initiative to grant hands-on experience in configuring C-130s for patient transport and included members of the 81st MDG, 81st AMDS, 81st Medical Operations Squadron and 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

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81st MDG conducts air evacuation training

Col. Paul Nelson, 81st Aerospace Medicine Squadron, briefs 81st Medical Group members during an air evacuation training session on the flightline March 14, 2013, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. The training project headed by Nelson was a Joint Air Medical Integrated Showcase initiative to grant hands-on experience in configuring C-130s for patient transport and included members of the 81st MDG, 81st AMDS, 81st Medical Operations Squadron and 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

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81st MDG conducts air evacuation training

Col. Paul Nelson, 81st Aerospace Medicine Squadron, is strapped to a stretcher prior to boarding a C-130 aircraft during air evacuation training on the flightline March 14, 2013, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. The training project headed by Nelson was a Joint Air Medical Integrated Showcase initiative to grant hands-on experience in configuring C-130s for patient transport and included members of the 81st Medical Group, 81st AMDS, 81st Medical Operations Squadron and 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

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81st MDG conducts air evacuation training

Senior Airman Ashley Figueroa, 81st Aerospace Medicine Squadron, secures straps on Lt. Col. Mikelle Maddox, 81st AMDS, during air evacuation training on the flightline March 14, 2013, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. The training project was a Joint Air Medical Integrated Showcase initiative to grant hands-on experience in configuring C-130s for patient transport and included members of the 81st Medical Group, 81st AMDS, 81st Medical Operations Squadron and 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

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81st MDG conducts air evacuation training

First Lt. Pete Traylor, 81st Inpatient Operation Squadron, and Maj. Jonathan Ellis, 81st Surgical Operations Squadron, carry a “patient” aboard a C-130 aircraft during air evacuation training on the flightline March 14, 2013, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. The training project was a Joint Air Medical Integrated Showcase initiative to grant hands-on experience in configuring C-130s for patient transport and included members of the 81st Medical Group, 81st Aerospace Medicine Squadron, 81st Medical Operations Squadron and 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

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81st MDG conducts air evacuation training

Senior Airman Ashley Figueroa, 81st Aerospace Medicine Squadron, helps other 81st Medical Group members to secure a “patient,” portrayed by Lt. Col. Mikelle Maddox, 81st AMDS, aboard a C-130 aircraft during air evacuation training on the flightline March 14, 2013, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. The training project was a Joint Air Medical Integrated Showcase initiative to grant hands-on experience in configuring C-130s for patient transport and included members of the 81st MDG, 81st AMDS, 81st Medical Operations Squadron and 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

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81st MDG conducts air evacuation training

Airman 1st Class Jason Parker, 81st Aerospace Medicine Squadron, secures safety straps to the floor of a C-130 aircraft during air evacuation training on the flightline March 14, 2013, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. The training project was a Joint Air Medical Integrated Showcase initiative to grant hands-on experience in configuring C-130s for patient transport and included members of the 81st Medical Group, 81st AMDS, 81st Medical Operations Squadron and 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

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81st MDG conducts air evacuation training

Col. Paul Nelson, 81st Aerospace Medicine Squadron, briefs 81st Medical Group members during air evacuation training on the flightline March 14, 2013, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. The training project headed by Nelson was a Joint Air Medical Integrated Showcase initiative to grant hands-on experience in configuring C-130s for patient transport and included members of the 81st MDG, 81st AMDS, 81st Medical Operations Squadron and 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

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81st MDG conducts air evacuation training

Airmen 1st Class Timothy Wallace and Jason Parker and Senior Airman Ashley Figueroa, 81st Aerospace Medicine Squadron; 1st Lt. Pete Traylor, 81st Inpatient Operation Squadron, and Airman 1st Class James Rodriguez-Tejeda, 81st AMDS, load a “patient” played by Col. Paul Nelson, 81st AMDS, into the back of an ambulance during air evacuation training on the flightline March 14, 2013, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. The training project headed by Nelson was a Joint Air Medical Integrated Showcase initiative to grant hands-on experience in configuring C-130s for patient transport and included members of the 81st Medical Group, 81st AMDS, 81st Medical Operations Squadron and 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

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81st MDG conducts air evacuation training

Lt. Col. Mikelle Maddox, 81st Aerospace Medicine Squadron, portrays a “patient” being carried off of a C-130 aircraft during air evacuation training that took place on the flightline March 14, 2013, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. The training project was a Joint Air Medical Integrated Showcase initiative to grant hands-on experience in configuring C-130s for patient transport and included members of the 81st Medical Group, 81st AMDS, 81st Medical Operations Squadron and 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

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81st MDG conducts air evacuation training

Published March 19, 2013
By Airman 1st Class Stephan Coleman
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Members of the 81st Medical Group held simulated air evacuation training March 14 on the flightline at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.

The training project headed by Col. (Dr.) Paul Nelson, 81st Aerospace Medicine Squadron chief of aerospace medicine, was a joint aeromedical integrated showcase initiative to grant hands-on experience configuring C-130s for patient transport. Members from the 81st MDG, 81st AMDS and 81st MDOS joined with the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance squadron for the experience.

"Instead of doing all the training at once, it's been broken up into chunks," said Capt. Chenoah Gudel, 81st Medical Operations Squadron. "Eventually, it will work up to a multi-day exercise."

In this scenario, the class was escorted to a C-130 and an ambulance on the flightline that were both prepped for demonstration. Tech Sgt. Troy Bickham, 53rd WRS loadmaster, monitored the use of his aircraft for safety.

The aircraft can be outfitted to hold up to 72 patients, but is typically set for 20 and has a medical crew of three technicians and two nurses.

Instead of being instructor-led, the training relies on the combined skills and knowledge of everyone involved. For example, Senior Airman Ashley Figueroa, 81st AMDS, demonstrated litter loading and carrying while Staff Sgt. Ryan Wallace, 81st AMDS, led the cargo hold preparations.

The project is geared toward sharing experience between active-duty and reserve units, nurses and doctors who have recently deployed or are scheduled to deploy.

The 53rd WRS has the ability to do air evacuations as well as weather operations. After learning how to set up and load a C-130, future training sessions will implement scenarios and possible flight training, Nelson said.

"The JAMIS events are about getting learners of all levels and experiences together," said Nelson. "The idea is to bring flightline and medical teams together to gain a better mutual understanding and training."