Stories from the COVID-19 front: 10 EAEF Training

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 10th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight disembark from a bus and enter a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft for a training at Ramstein Air Base, Jan. 26. The team is composed of Airmen from over eight different Air Force specialty codes working together to transport patients with high consequence infectious diseases. The Negatively Pressurized Conex used in the training is permanently assigned to the 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing here and offers infectious disease transport capabilities to Europe and Africa. 

 

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Fiona Kirnan, 10th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight medical technician, looks through a window of a Negatively Pressurized Conex during a training at Ramstein Air Base, Jan. 30. An important part of training includes observing how the crew behaves and interacts with patients inside the NPC . The NPC used in the training is permanently assigned to the 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing here and offers infectious disease transport capabilities to Europe and Africa. 

 

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Ryan Cronin, 10th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight biomedical equipment technician, plays the part of an infected patient during a training at Ramstein Air Base, Jan. 30. Simulating live patients with different needs prepares the crew to adapt and adjust their medical care. The Negatively Pressurized Conex used in the training is permanently assigned to the 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing here and offers infectious disease transport capabilities to Europe and Africa.

 

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 10th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight familiarize themselves with a Negatively Pressurized Conex secured inside a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft during a training at Ramstein Air Base, Jan. 30. Patients are brought onboard the aircraft and kept in the biocontainment unit during flight to isolate them from the rest of the crew. The NPC used in the training is permanently assigned to the 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing and offers on-hand infectious disease transport capabilities to Europe and Africa. 

 

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 10th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight unload a litter with a simulated patient from a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft during a training at Ramstein Air Base,  Jan. 26. In a real-world operation the patient would be transported to the nearest appropriate facility while the crew decontaminated the aircraft and prepared it for the next mission. The Negatively Pressurized Conex used in the training is permanently assigned to the 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing here and offers infectious disease transport capabilities to Europe and Africa.

 

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Dylan Callais, 10th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight aeromedical evacuation technician, left, helps U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Rachel Sorrell, 10th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight aeromedical evacuation technician, put on medical gloves during training at Ramstein Air Base, Jan. 30. It is critical to ensure that different layers of protective equipment overlap to prevent disease from spreading. 

 

U.S. Air Force Capt. Diandra Harrison, 10th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight, flight nurse, connects a therapeutic oxygen hose from a Negatively Pressurized Conex into an oxygen supply from a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft during training at Ramstein Air Base, Jan. 30. The NPC is designed to integrate into the aircraft’s oxygen and power supply systems. The NPC used in the training is permanently assigned to the 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing here and offers infectious disease transport capabilities to Europe and Africa.

 

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 10th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight disembark from a bus and enter a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft for a training at Ramstein Air Base, Jan. 26. The team is composed of Airmen from over eight different Air Force specialty codes working together to transport patients with high consequence infectious diseases. The Negatively Pressurized Conex used in the training is permanently assigned to the 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing here and offers infectious disease transport capabilities to Europe and Africa.

 

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 10th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight secure a litter holding a simulated patient and medical equipment inside a Negatively Pressurized Conex during training at Ramstein Air Base, Jan. 30. Stretchers are secured to adjustable wall fixtures and can accommodate up to ten patients.