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Charleston mobilizes Aeromedical Evacuation Airmen for COVID-19 response

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Wayne Capps
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Approximately 10 Reserve Airmen from the 315th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron were mobilized this week in support of COVID-19 relief efforts.

The Citizen Airmen will participate in the COVID-19 Aeromedical Evacuation hub that has been established at Joint Base Charleston and will deploy around the globe as needed.

 The primary mission for these Reservists is to provide lifesaving in-flight patient care in response to contingencies and humanitarian emergencies.  These are specialized medical teams, consisting of flight nurses, aeromedical evacuation technicians and support personnel.  These teams can operate on a number of U.S. Air Force aircraft. 

 “As Citizen Airmen, our people are playing a role in helping Americans recover from this pandemic,” said Col. Adam Willis, commander of the 315th Airlift Wing.  “I couldn’t be more proud of the work they are doing,” he said.

This mobilization is part of a larger package across the Air Force Reserve of nearly 100 aeromedical evacuation personnel and aircraft, headed to support COVID-19 response and take care of Americans.

The call for aeromedical support came just days after the Air Force Reserve mobilized more than 120 medical personnel across the nation to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, to help with the fight against COVID-19 in New York City.

As COVID-19 response requirements for more medical personnel, aeromedical evacuation capabilities, logistics experts and other specialties grow, the Air Force Reserve was granted the authority to activate the inactive Reserve, as needed, by the President’s March 27 Executive Order.