First group of wounded warriors arrive at Wilford Hall CASF

Published Aug. 24, 2011
By Sue Campbell
59th Medical Wing Public Affairs

LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The 59th Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility received its first group of wounded warriors recently.

A KC-135 Stratotanker landed at the Kelly flight line here, carrying six wounded Army personnel direct from the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany.

"Two of the soldiers were in critical condition and an ambulance took them to Brooke Army Medical Center about 20 minutes away," said Maj. Charlotte Knight, 59th CASF flight commander. "The other four were in stable condition and brought to the CASF."

The 59th CASF opened June 13 at Wilford Hall Medical Center. The facility is manned by Air Force Reservists deployed from 14 states. Two are from the 931st Air Refueling Group out of McConnell Air Force Base.

Their mission is to support patients in the aeromedical evacuation system, providing medical care and comfort measures while they await transportation to their final destination.

Since June 13, CASF personnel had been monitoring the Transcom Regulating and Command and Control Evacuation System, known as TRAC2ES, for movement of injured military members in the aeromedical evacuation system to San Antonio.

"TRAC2ES notified us they were coming and coordinated the ambulance transportation to BAMC for the critically injured soldiers. We were ready and waiting with our ambus to bring the stabilized guys to our new facility," said Col. Debora Esque, 59th CASF commander. "It was a coordinated effort with everyone making sure the patients went to the appropriate locations."

A chaplain and volunteer from Wilford Hall, along with two Marine representatives, joined the CASF staff on the Lackland flight line to help transport the wounded warriors. The soldiers arrived at Wilford Hall and were admitted into the CASF where they received a hot meal and much needed rest.

"They were excited to be back in the States and liked all the services available at Wilford Hall such as the barber shop and exchange," Knight said. "We served them meals within 20 minutes of their arrival at the CASF and one of the soldiers said he got the best sleep here that he'd had in days."

In addition to nourishment and sleep, the soldiers' received expert medical attention.

"Our staff provides complex medical/surgical nursing care to these wounded warriors," said Knight. "We are trained and equipped to change dressings, start IV's, take labs ... whatever they may require. We can even give blood if needed."

Within 24 hours, the CASF's first patients were transported on to their next location, closer to home, to be with family and recuperate.

The CASF anticipates four to six missions each month, which may increase to three per week.

"Our first mission went well and, considering the short amount of time we had to become accustomed to working with each other, I feel we did better than some more experienced teams I've seen," said Knight. "There are some process improvements we have identified and will work on; but, all in all, this was very successful and we couldn't be prouder."