Refuelers support aeromedical training mission

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jason Schaap
  • 931st Air Refueling Group Public Affairs
St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands --  Senior Airman Elvin Paulino isn't an aeromedical evacuation casualty named Jason McFadden suffering from chest pain, but he played one onboard a KC-135 Stratotanker Friday.

Airman Paulino is assigned to the 514th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron at McGuire Air Force Base, N.J. Airmen from the 931st Air Refueling Group picked him and 10 others from his squadron up on Friday to begin a three-day training mission.

The role of Jason McFadden, a mock casualty generated by a computer for training, was originally played by a training dummy. Airman Paulino entered the KC-135 stage because a computer assigned McFadden some lines.

"A dummy can't answer a question," said Tech. Sgt. Christopher Flagg, an aeromedical evacuation instructor who led training during the flight.

Sergeant Flagg has been a Reservist with the 514th for 21 years. He's flown more training and real-world evacuation missions on KC-135s than he can remember.

It isn't the most ideal airframe for the mission, he said. The air temperature inside always seems to be "burning hot or freezing cold," for example. And lighting, as Airmen treating Jason McFadden's chest pains learned Friday, was not a priority for those who designed the KC-135 more than 50 years ago.

"It's dark," Sergeant Flagg said. "(We) have to carry a lot of lights."

The KC-135 provides the Air Force's core air refueling capability. It's not the first choice for aeromedical missions, but it can be a valuable substitute.

"I love the KC-135," Sergeant Flagg insisted. "It's a big flying gas can. You never question if you have enough gas."

The aircraft's large capacity for fuel can also offer a speed boost if a situation with a patient becomes urgent. With a top speed of 530 mph, a pilot usually has the option to lay on the throttle more and not worry about burning up gas beyond what is needed for the mission.

"The patients like the (KC-135's speed)," said Senior Master Sgt. Mark Johnson, superintendent of medical readiness for the 514th AES. "They like that they are getting home faster."

Senior Master Sergeant Ron Nowasell agrees that the KC-135's speed and long-distance capability makes it an important aeromedical option for the Air Force. He is the chief of aeromedical evacuation training for the 22nd Air Force at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga.

"(For) all those long runs over the pond," he said, referring to the ocean separating Japan and Hawaii, "we're using '135s."

Sergeant Nowasell joined the 514th team for the three-day mission Friday to keep his own training current. Aeromedical Airmen are required to fly on a training mission at least once every 90 days ("but most try to fly once a month," Sergeant Johnson said). 

Finding the support to meet aeromedical training needs has not been easy. "We're at war," Sergeant Nowasell said. "(Aircraft) are at a premium."

KC-135 units have been filling a "critical" need.

"Without the support from the 931st," Sergeant Nowasell said, "these guys wouldn't be training this weekend."


Watch More
Click here to view (raw) video taken during the 931st/514th aeromedical evacuation training mission.