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Air Force Medical Service

Aviation meets medicine: A flight surgeon’s lifelong journey

Before donning the uniform as a U.S. Air Force flight surgeon, Col. Christopher Borchardt was a kid who marveled for hours at airplanes passing overhead, read every book on aviation he could find.

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Air Force medical leaders partner with joint forces, DoD researchers on Warfighter Brain Health Initiative

Invisible blast overpressure injuries, along with more severe traumatic brain injuries, are at the center of a growing Department of Defense campaign to protect cognitive performance, a significant component of medical readiness for America’s warfighters.

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Empowered to serve: NECP, HPSP programs transform lives of Air Force nurses

The Air Force Medical Service celebrates Nurse and Tech Week, May 6-12, honoring nurses and medical technicians for their invaluable dedication to medical readiness and providing high quality patient care.

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U.S. Air Force medics care for a simulated patient during the 16th Annual Medic Rodeo at Melrose Air Force Range, New Mexico.

Airman in red light

Reserve Citizen Airmen, 944th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, strap in a mock litter patient during aeromedical evacuation training event aboard a C-17 Globemaster III at Phoenix-Goodyear Airport in Goodyear Ariz., April 16, 2025. Airmen were tasked with managing non-ambulatory patients and addressing in-flight stressors such as nausea and pain while adapting to the physical effects of flying. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alexis Orozco)

Reserve Citizen Airmen, 944th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, provide patient care during a simulated aeromedical evacuation training event aboard a C-17 Globemaster III flying nearby Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 16, 2025. The training, conducted aboard a C-17 from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, enhanced readiness, improved interoperability and prepared participants for patient movement in high-stress environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alexis Orozco)

Andersen Air Force Base Fire Department firefighters and 36th Medical Group paramedics transport an injured hiker through the jungle on Andersen AFB, Guam, April 11, 2025. Prepared for all types of island scenarios, Andersen firefighters partake in jungle rescue trainings focused on getting their members familiar with high angle and confined space rescues. This experience is invaluable when real-world emergencies, like the one shown, happen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Pedro Tenorio)

Airman refills air tank

Airmen simulate response to fire

airmen simulate medical response

Airmen simulate medical response

Medical Airmen holds simulated blood bag to administer.

Medical Airmen perform a surgical airway procedure on a simulated burn victim.

Medical Airmen stabilize a casualty and document patient care in darkness with night vision flashlights.

Airman observes surgery

Surgery is performed

Surgeons operate

Surgery is performed

Medical Airmen train on manikens.

28th Medical Group celebrates 60th Anniversary of the Biomedical Science Corps

A nurse

Airman using a x-ray machine

944th Fighter Wing Reserve Citizen Airmen and Arizona Army National Guard personnel work together to carry a simulated patient on a stretcher during UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter medevac training at Goodyear Phoenix Airport, Goodyear, Ariz., Oct. 19, 2024. The training emphasized joint interoperability and patient loading procedures in preparation for Exercise Desert Hammer 25-1, scheduled for November. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexis Orozco)

944th Fighter Wing Reserve Citizen Airmen carry a simulated patient from a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during medevac training at Goodyear Phoenix Airport, Goodyear, Ariz., Oct. 19, 2024. The exercise, conducted in conjunction with the Arizona Army National Guard, prepares for Exercise Desert Hammer 25-1 in November. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexis Orozco)

944th Fighter Wing Reserve Citizen Airmen and Arizona Army National Guard personnel prepare to load a simulated patient into a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during medevac training at Goodyear Phoenix Airport, Goodyear, Ariz., Oct. 19, 2024. The joint exercise ensures readiness for upcoming missions such as Exercise Desert Hammer 25-1 in November. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexis Orozco)

944th Fighter Wing Reserve Citizen Airmen carry a simulated patient onto a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during medevac training at Goodyear Phoenix Airport, Goodyear, Ariz., Oct. 19, 2024. The exercise, conducted with Arizona Army National Guard personnel, prepares both units for the large-scale Exercise Desert Hammer 25-1 in November. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexis Orozco)

944th Fighter Wing Reserve Citizen Airmen and Arizona Army National Guard personnel prepare to transport a simulated patient during medevac training at Goodyear Phoenix Airport, Goodyear, Ariz., Oct. 19, 2024. The joint training is a critical step in preparing for Exercise Desert Hammer 25-1 in November. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexis Orozco)

Airmen assigned to the 920th Aeromedical Staging Squadron Critical Care Air Transport Team perform an endotracheal intubation on a high-fidelity mannequin

A high-fidelity mannequin is utilized in the 920th Aeromedical Staging Squadron Critical Care Air Transport Team simulation lab

Airmen assigned to the 920th Aeromedical Staging Squadron Critical Care Air Transport Team perform medical care

Airmen assigned to the 920th Aeromedical Staging Squadron Critical Care Air Transport Team perform an endotracheal intubation on a high-fidelity mannequin

Capt. Emily Mallon, 920th Aeromedical Staging Squadron Critical Care Air Transport Team nurse, reads information from an IVAC Triple Channel IV pump

Tech. Sgt. Terrance Russell and Capt. Emily Mallon read information from an IVAC Triple Channel IV pump

Capt. David Harrow discusses medical care with Staff Sgt. Eric Hannah while on an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft

Airmen assigned to the 920th Aeromedical Staging Squadron Critical Care Air Transport Team perform medical care

A convoy of Light Medium Tactical Vehicles and a mass-casualty medical transport bus line up against a 445th Airlift Wing C-17 Globemaster III for patient transfer during Exercise Patriot Medic 2024 at Fort McCoy Army Airfield, Wisconsin, August 11, 2024. Patriot Medic leveraged specialized training opportunities and partnerships with other military branches and allies to develop combat-ready medics. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Timothy Leddick)

Tech. Sgt. Trey Naber, 445th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron AE technician, prepares the oxygen line aboard a 445th Airlift Wing C-17 Globemaster III during Exercise Patriot Medic 2024 at Fort McCoy Army Airfield, Aug. 10, 2024. The training and scenarios participants played during the exercise validated Reserve capabilities to employ en route care and use of the Theater Aeromedical Evacuation System (TAES). (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Timothy Leddick)

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 378th Expeditionary Medical Squadron provide care to a simulated patient during a mass casualty exercise at an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 24, 2024. The exercise provided 378 EMDS the opportunity to activate the medical contingency response plan to integrate alongside external agencies while providing direct care to simulated patients. (U.S. Air Force photo)

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joshua Alley, right, respiratory care practitioner, 134th Air Refueling Wing, Tennessee National Guard, trains alongside other critical care air transport team members in properly allocating resources in the event of an inflight patient emergency during a Medical Readiness University capstone exercise at Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Alpena, Michigan, June 13, 2024. This large-scale training event provided Total Force Airmen with hands-on and real-world operational training at a reduced cost for more than 21 medical career specialties. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Sarah M. McClanahan)

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Sara Syverhus, center, aerospace medical technician, 101st Aerial Refueling Wing, Maine National Guard, prepares to insert an oropharyngeal airway on a medical training manikin in a moving ambulance as part of a MEDIC-X course at Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Alpena, Michigan, June 11, 2024. The event was part of Medical Readiness University, an Air National Guard-hosted two-week event offering multiple courses providing medical Airmen hands-on operational training. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Sarah M. McClanahan)

U.S. Air Force medical Airmen with the Air National Guard transfer a simulated patient onto a litter during a tactical combat casualty care course at Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Alpena, Michigan, June 11, 2024. The course was part of Medical Readiness University, an Air National Guard-hosted two-week event offering multiple courses providing medical Airmen with hands-on operational training. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Sarah M. McClanahan)

Royal Australian Air Force and Papua New Guinea Defence Force medical personnel practice rendering first aid on a RAAF C-27J Spartan mid-flight during Pacific Angel 24-1 at Papua New Guinea, Aug. 29, 2024. Pacific Angel 24-1 focuses on exchanging and teaching tactics and techniques between the participating countries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Carson Jeney)

U.S. Air Force and Papua New Guinea Defence Force aeromedical evacuation personnel prepare a simulated casualty for transport during Pacific Angel 24-1 at Lae, Papua New Guinea, Aug. 29, 2024. U.S. Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force and Papua New Guinea Defence Force personnel culminated three days of aeromedical evacuation training and subject matter expert exchanges with a field training exercise. Pacific Angel is a series of joint, combined and bilateral humanitarian response exercises that supports U.S. Indo-Pacific Command objectives, U.S. Pacific Air Forces strategy and respective U.S. Embassy Strategic Engagement objectives. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. DeAndre Curtiss)

Papua New Guinea Defence Force medical personnel transport a “patient” between aircraft during Pacific Angel 24-1 at Nadzab Tomodachi International Airport, Papua New Guinea, Aug. 29, 2024.

Members of the 445th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, carry a litter to a staging site during a mass casualty exercise at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, Aug. 3, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Angela Jackson)

Senior Airman Andrea Plaugher, 445th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron medical technician, triages mock patients prior to loading them onto a C-17 Globemaster III during a multi-unit mass casualty exercise at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Aug. 3, 2024. The exercise included members of the 445th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, Aerospace Medicine Squadron and AES. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Angela Jackson)

Senior Airman Andrea Plaugher, 445th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron medical technician, triages mock patients prior to loading them onto a C-17 Globemaster III during a multi-unit mass casualty exercise at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Aug. 3, 2024. The exercise included members of the 445th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, Aerospace Medicine Squadron and AES. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Angela Jackson)

A 445th Airlift Wing C-17 Globemaster III is loaded with mock patients during a multi-unit mass casualty exercise at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Aug. 3, 2024. The exercise included members of the 445th Aeromedical Staging, Aerospace Medicine and Aeromedical Evacuation Squadrons. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Patrick O’Reilly)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Anjelica March, search and rescue medic and unit deployment manager, left, and Capt. Matthew Gullick, emergency nurse, both assigned to the 125th Medical Group, Detachment 1, Florida Air National Guard make their way through a Confined Space Rescue course as part of CSR training, during an exercise Aug. 13, 2024, Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico. The exercise is comprised of several training events that enhances air-load capabilities, refines pre- and post- deployment procedures, expands mission readiness in an unfamiliar environment, and fulfills Comprehensive Medical Readiness Plan requirements, including critical care, search and extraction, and Air Force Specialty Code proficiency training, while collaborating with the 156th Medical Group. The exercise also includes providing Individual Medical Readiness support for members of the 156th WG population. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Jesse Hanson)

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col William Raimundi, 156th Medical Group optometrist, performs a vision exam during an exercise Aug. 9, 2024, at Muñiz Air National Guard Base, Carolina, Puerto Rico. The exercise is part of the 125th Medical Group, Detachment 1’s training that enhances air-load capabilities, refines pre- and post- deployment procedures, expands mission readiness in an unfamiliar environment, and fulfills Comprehensive Medical Readiness Plan requirements, including critical care, search and extraction, and Air Force Specialty Code proficiency training, while collaborating with the 156th Medical Group. The exercise also includes providing Individual Medical Readiness support for members of the 156th WG population. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Jesse Hanson)

Image of Airmen conducting support with civilians.

Airman transport simulated patient