JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- Crews and aircraft from several Air Force units arrived here from Travis AFB, Calif., Dec. 2, during one of three "proof of principle" missions evaluating the KC-10 Extender's capability to support combined cargo and aeromedical evacuation missions throughout the Pacific.

The missions are part of an ongoing Total Force effort to increase the efficiency of worldwide air mobility operations and have brought together personnel from Air Mobility Command, Pacific Air Forces, the 18th Air Force, the 618th Air and Space Operations Center (Tanker Airlift Control Center) and the Air Reserve Component.

Crews from the 43rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron based at Pope Field, N.C. and the 375th AES based at Scott AFB, Ill., participated in the Dec. 2 mission using aircraft assigned to Travis' 60th Air Mobility Wing. The average AE crew consists of five to seven people tasked with setting up equipment, coordinating details with aircrew and ensuring patient care and comfort.

Although the KC-10 is certified for the AE mission, historically it is has not been as frequently used as other air frames. According to mission planners, the PoP flights not only provide feedback on the feasibility of routinely using the KC-10 in an AE role, they also lay the foundation for a seamless transition to the aircraft.

"Using the KC-10 gives us another great platform to use for evacuation of combat patients," said Lt. Col. Michael Johnson, 618th Air and Space Operation Center Aeromedical Evacuation Division Chief. "At the same time, we're testing new concepts of moving cargo along with patient movements."

Johnson explained the most recent flight focused on in-flight patient care and testing of the patient pallet support system. The system not only supports patient transport, but the transport of in-flight kits that include nearly 750 pounds of AE equipment.

Capt. Brenda White, 43rd AES flight nurse, echoed Johnson's thoughts about the implications of the PoP missions. "Right now, with so many things going on and so many places where we need to be in order to conduct air evacuation, being able to routinely use another mobility platform is a great advantage."

While revisiting the use of the KC-10 for AE will require developing rules of engagement for transportation of patients and cargo, determining the best placement of medical equipment (not used before on the KC-10), and finding the best way for multiple agencies and support systems to work together, officials say the effort will be well worth it. Ultimately, officials say, the increase of the KC-10's contribution to the AE mission will improve global patient movement efficiently without sacrificing effectiveness.

"This plane will save lives and that's what we want to do, increase the capabilities of the Air Force by moving patients safely and efficiently through the air evacuation system," Johnson said.