10th EAEF help support wounded warriors

The 10th Expeditionary Aero-medical Evacuation Flight is comprised of 84 highly trained and qualified Airmen from evacuation squadrons and medical units throughout the Air Force Reserve, Guard and active duty whose mission is to provide in-flight medical care and bring home wounded warriors.

“We have a unique mission here on Ramstein,” said Capt. Brian Cortellessa, critical care air transport team nurse. “It’s very rewarding to do what we do … we provide downrange expert support for anyone that is evacuated on our flights.”

The 10th EAEF consists of a crew management team responsible for leadership, logistics and administration. The flight conducts tours ranging from 30 to 180 days and is currently located here to support air evacuation missions for U.S. Central command, European command and Africa command.

Within the EAEF there are four specialized critical care air transport teams. Each team is comprised of three medical technicians who create and operate a portable intensive care unit on board any transport aircraft and turn almost any airframe into a flying intensive care unit within minutes.

“We are saving lives,” said Maj. David Legendre, 10th EAEF director of operations. “The service members do their part downrange to help support the mission, so heaven forbid if anything should happen to them we could provide support in less than 24 hours.”

CCATT teams have a physician specializing in an area such as critical care, emergency medicine, anesthesiology and surgery, along with a critical care nurse and a respiratory therapist.

The EAEF also works alongside the tactical critical care evacuation teams that remain downrange to provide as much medical treatment as possible to patients in critical condition before they are evacuated back to Ramstein.

“When warfighters are in need, they know that we’ll always be here to provide them with care,” Cortellesa said.

The 10th EAEF also ensures they provide adequate medical support to not only service members but to any coalition members or civilians who are in need of their skills.

Legendre said the EAEF are protectors of life who are dedicated to their mission and their joint effort to support the medical groups here on Ramstein.

“I couldn’t think of a better population of people to provide my expertise to,” Cortellesa said. “I’m proud of the work we do in the EAEF.”