18th AES trains to answer the call U.S. Air Force Logo Nov. 1, 2024 18th AES trains to answer the call A U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, stabilizes a simulated patient during airborne training over the Pacific Ocean, Oct. 22, 2024. Members of the 18th AES undergo extensive training to respond to various emergency medical scenarios, ensuring they are prepared to evacuate, treat, and transport wounded military and civilian personnel at a moment’s notice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Edward Yankus) Details Download 18th AES trains to answer the call U.S. Air Force Capt. Jessica Springer, 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron flight nurse prepares an IV for a simulated patient during training on a KC-135 assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron during training over the Pacific Ocean, Oct. 22, 2024. The 18th AES Airman are capable of setting up medical litters on various aircraft, allowing them to care for patients while airborne. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Edward Yankus) Details Download 18th AES trains to answer the call U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, prepare simulated patients for airlift onto a KC-135 assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 22, 2024. The 18th AES conducts training to ensure they can safely and effectively transfer patients while providing medical care. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Edward Yankus) Details Download 18th AES trains to answer the call U.S. Air Force Capt. Jessica Springer, 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron flight nurse, assists with a two-man carry of a simulated patient on a KC-135 assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 22, 2024. The KC-135 Stratotanker is able to transport injured patients to medical facilities in various regions of the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Edward Yankus) Details Download 18th AES trains to answer the call A U.S. Air Force Airman from the 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron inserts an IV for a simulated patient during a training over the Pacific Ocean, Oct. 22, 2024. The 18th AES Airman are capable of setting up medical litters on various aircraft, allowing them to care for patients while airborne. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Edward Yankus) Details Download 18th AES trains to answer the call U.S. Air Force Capt. Kylie Jones, 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron flight nurse, performs a test on an oxygen mask before a training mission at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 22, 2024. The 18th AES’ mission is to provide support for medical operations in wartime, during contingencies, and for natural disaster relief operations that occur within the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Edward Yankus) Details Download 18th AES trains to answer the call A U.S. Air Force Airman from the 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron uses a quick don oxygen mask during an in-flight training scenario over the Pacific Ocean, Japan, Oct. 22, 2024. The 18th AES is capable of deploying with the 909th ARS for medical situations at a moment’s notice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Edward Yankus) Details Download 18th AES trains to answer the call U.S. Air Force Airmen with the 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron prepare simulated patients for airlift during a routine training with a KC-135 assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 22, 2024. The 18th AES conducts training to ensure they can safely and effectively transfer patients while providing medical care. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Edward Yankus) Details Download Medical scenarios create high-stress situations for Air Force personnel tending to patients. Aeromedical evacuation members must carry out these tasks with the added pressure of being in the air. “Our job is to bring our service members home,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Miguel Vasquez Leyva, 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, aeromedical evacuation technician. “Our responsibility is to bring people in bad situations, potentially experiencing the worst day of their life, and reunite them with their loved ones. We take great pride in ensuring the safe return of our service members.” Flight nurses and medical technicians are the main aircrew members who fly with the sick and injured, while communications personnel, medical administrators, logistics members, and a variety of other ground personnel ensure that the aircrew has the equipment and information they need to care for their patients safely during transport. "One of the positive aspects of AE is its high level of interoperability,” said Leyva. “We can collaborate with different squadrons to provide assistance and fill in gaps when they have shortages, and reciprocally others come to our aid. There's a strong sense of cooperation within the AE community." The 18th AES is the sole aeromedical evacuation unit in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, supporting 24/7 patient movement capabilities for internal and external theater missions. “The Air Force is the only service that provides aeromedical evacuation,” said U.S. Air Force Capt Jessica Springer, 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, flight nurse. “Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Marines, they don't have an aeromedical evacuation. They might have something similar like PJs and stuff like that, but in terms of what we do, we're the only ones. Having such a specialized and unique job also affects the individuals executing it on a human level over the years. “Everyone benefits from these initiatives,” said Leyva. “Our cultural and military alliances are strengthened, our techniques and tactics are improved, language skills are exercised, and we grow personally, too.”