by Senior Airman Thomas Karol
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs May 30, 2024
Members of the 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron work together with Tunisian Armed Forces counterparts outside a Tunisian L-410 Turbolet during aeromedical evacuation training at exercise African Lion 2024 (AL24) in Tunis, Tunisia, May 2, 2024. AL24 marks the 20th anniversary of U.S. Africa Command’s premier joint exercise led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), running from April 19 to May 31 across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, with over 8,100 participants from 27 nations and NATO contingents. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)
The 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, stationed at Ramstein Air Base, transported a U.S. Army Soldier using a Tunisian C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, May 4, from El Aouina Air Base, Tunisia, to Ramstein AB. The transport occurred during the multi-nation exercise African Lion.
African Lion focuses on enhancing readiness between the U.S. and partner nation forces. This joint all-domain, multi-component, and multinational exercise, employs a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants and set the theater for strategic access.
The 86th AES’ primary objective is to deliver timely and essential enroute medical care to patients, ensuring critical care between medical treatment facilities.
U.S. Air Force Capt. Maria Oliver, a nurse with the 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron based in Ramstein, Germany, works inside a Tunisian C-130 aircraft during aeromedical evacuation training at exercise African Lion 2024 (AL24) in Tunis, Tunisia, May 2, 2024. AL24 marks the 20th anniversary of U.S. Africa Command’s premier joint exercise led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), running from April 19 to May 31 across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, with over 8,100 participants from 27 nations and NATO contingents. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)
“The aeromedical evacuation team transported the patient within 12 hours of notification of approved movement,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Cruse, 86th AES Aeromedical Evacuation Technician.
Additional support was provided by TRANSCOM [U.S. Transportation Command] Patient Movement Requirement Center, Aeromedical Evacuation Control Team, The Army Southern European Task Force in Africa and the U.S. and Tunisian embassies.
The evacuation was critical due to the condition of the soldier and if it had not occurred the situation could have become more serious.
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Devin Bruner, right, offers a tool to fellow Staff Sgt. Charles Hayward, both with the 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron based in Ramstein, Germany, as they work with their Tunisian Armed Forces counterpart to prepare a simulated casualty during aeromedical evacuation training at exercise African Lion 2024 (AL24) in Tunis, Tunisia, May 2, 2024. AL24 marks the 20th anniversary of U.S. Africa Command’s premier joint exercise led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), running from April 19 to May 31 across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, with over 8,100 participants from 27 nations and NATO contingents. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)
“The service member had a gastrointestinal infection a few days prior and was admitted to a local hospital until the aeromedical evacuation occurred,” said U.S Air Force Capt. Maria Oliver, 86th AES, clinical simulation element officer in charge. “The service member had a bacterial infection that resulted in complications to upper and lower extremities.”
Cruse spoke about the hospitality his team was shown by the Tunisian Air Force and how they helped ensure the operation had no hiccups and went according to plan.
U.S. Air Force Capt. Maria Oliver, a nurse with the 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron based in Ramstein, Germany, works with her Tunisian Armed Forces counterpart to transport a simulated patient onto a Tunisian L-410 Turbolet aircraft during aeromedical evacuation training at exercise African Lion 2024 (AL24) in Tunis, Tunisia, May 2, 2024. AL24 marks the 20th anniversary of U.S. Africa Command’s premier joint exercise led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), running from April 19 to May 31 across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, with over 8,100 participants from 27 nations and NATO contingents. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)
“I loved working with the Tunisian Air Force because they were so accommodating and eager to help us complete our mission,” Cruse said. “They went out of their way to help us. If we didn’t have something we needed they made sure we got it and helped us every step of the way.”
Many of these missions are only possible due to Ramstein AB enabling the global gateway and fostering strong relationships between allies and partners.
A member of the Tunisian Armed Forces gives a thumbs up while aboard a Tunisian L-410 Turbolet during aeromedical evacuation training at exercise African Lion 2024 (AL24) in Tunis, Tunisia, May 2, 2024. AL24 marks the 20th anniversary of U.S. Africa Command’s premier joint exercise led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), running from April 19 to May 31 across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, with over 8,100 participants from 27 nations and NATO contingents. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)
Members of the Tunisian Armed Forces secure medical equipment aboard a Tunisian L-410 Turbolet during aeromedical evacuation training at exercise African Lion 2024 (AL24) in Tunis, Tunisia, May 2, 2024. AL24 marks the 20th anniversary of U.S. Africa Command’s premier joint exercise led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), running from April 19 to May 31 across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, with over 8,100 participants from 27 nations and NATO contingents. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Cruse, a member of the 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron based in Ramstein, Germany, shares a laugh with his Tunisian Armed Forces counterpart during aeromedical evacuation training at exercise African Lion 2024 (AL24) in Tunis, Tunisia, May 2, 2024. AL24 marks the 20th anniversary of U.S. Africa Command’s premier joint exercise led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), running from April 19 to May 31 across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, with over 8,100 participants from 27 nations and NATO contingents. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Charles Hayward, assigned to the 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron based in Ramstein, Germany, works with a Tunisian Armed Forces counterpart inside a Tunisian C-130 aircraft during aeromedical evacuation training at exercise African Lion 2024 (AL24) in Tunis, Tunisia, May 2, 2024. AL24 marks the 20th anniversary of U.S. Africa Command’s premier joint exercise led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), running from April 19 to May 31 across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, with over 8,100 participants from 27 nations and NATO contingents. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)
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