Deployed innovation saves 11 Airmen

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Donald Breitkreutz Jr.
  • 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron chief boom operator
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  After twelve years of KC-135 Stratotanker operations here, it would be fair to assume that all possible missions that the venerable tanker is capable of performing had been done.

Last week the members of the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron performed the first patient transport employing the floor loaded Stanchion Litter System in coordination with the 379th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, thus proving there are still additional missions the KC-135 can perform.

This mission was made possible by a true display of the Total Force Association which included not only the organizations listed above but included the key efforts of the 340th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and the 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron's Air Terminal Operations Center personnel.

These four organizations, made up of members from Active Duty, Guard and Reserve personnel, came together as a seamless team of professionals ensuring the safe passage for eleven wounded warriors to essential medical care at Ramstein AB, Germany.

This mission, which had never been performed from this location, went from concept to reality in less than twenty-four hours.

The 618th Air and Space Operations Center, also known as the Tanker Airlift Control Center, contacted the 340th EARS with the request for support. With all of the required details to accomplish the mission in hand, the teams began to coalesce around the requirement and the desire to support the wounded.

In just under twelve hours the aircraft was prepared by the 340th EAMXS personnel and configured by boom operators from the 340th EARS and members of the 379th EAMS.

On the morning of Sept. 7, the patient transport bus arrived at the aircraft and in less than an hour the KC-135 lifted off from here en route to Ramstein AB with the wounded warriors onboard.

In a little over six hours, the patients were being transferred to the appropriate medical facilities while the aircraft was reconfigured for its continued trip home and the aeromedical evacuation staff prepared for the rotation back to theater to continue providing world class en route medical care to those fighting for our freedom.

When everything is taken into account, the mission involved 23 aircrew and aeromedical evacuation personnel trained in KC-135 floor load configuration and egress training. It allowed for the cancellation of a C-17 Globemaster III, saving the Air Force more than $92,000, and safely providing medical support to 11 of our country's bravest warriors.