An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

71st RQS collaborates with 908th AES for simulated patient evacuation

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Iain Stanley
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  

Recently the 71st Rescue Squadron from Moody Air Force Base collaborated with the 908th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron for simulated patient triage and treatment at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, May 1, 2025. The 908th AES and 71st RQS used this exercise to hone their skills in stressful environments.

However, this was no ordinary flight. After picking up the patients and medical crew the 71st RQS pilots and loadmasters would simulate a contested environment with low level evasive maneuvers and a simulated airdrop. This scenario better prepares everyone involved for any unexpected situations.

“I think the biggest learning point from this training is the integration with the Aeromedical Evacuation folks that we don't work with a lot.” said Capt. Justin Seamon 71st RQS HC-130J Combat King II pilot. “I think that the training mission's biggest impact is that we can practice working with them in a safe environment so our first collaboration isn't in a deployment scenario.”

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 908th Aero-Medical Evacuation Squadron and 71st Rescue Squadron execute an aero-medical evacuation training at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, May 1, 2025. The AE personnel had to receive the patients, triage and ascertain their injuries, and load them in under 15 minutes which was accomplished safely. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Iain Stanley)

71st RQS collaborates with the 908th AES for simulated patient evacuation

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 908th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and 71st Rescue Squadron execute an aeromedical evacuation training at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, May 1, 2025. The AE personnel had to receive the patients, triage and ascertain their injuries, and load them in under 15 minutes which was accomplished safely. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Iain Stanley)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 908th Aero-Medical Evacuation Squadron and 71st Rescue Squadron execute an aero-medical evacuation training at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, May 1, 2025. During the one hour flight crew practiced different skills such as inserting IVs and administering blood products in flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Iain Stanley)

71st RQS collaborates with the 908th AES for simulated patient evacuation

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 908th Aero-Medical Evacuation Squadron and 71st Rescue Squadron execute an aero-medical evacuation training at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, May 1, 2025. During the one hour flight crew practiced different skills such as inserting IVs and administering blood products in flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Iain Stanley)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Senior Airman Matthew Stivers, 908th Aero-Medical Evacuation Squadron AE technician, goes over a checklist during an aero-medical evacuation training at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, May 1, 2025. The AE personnel had to receive the patients, triage and ascertain their injuries, and load them in under 15 minutes which was accomplished safely. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Iain Stanley)

71st RQS collaborates with the 908th AES for simulated patient evacuation

Senior Airman Matthew Stivers, 908th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron AE technician, goes over a checklist during an aeromedical evacuation training at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, May 1, 2025. The AE personnel had to receive the patients, triage and ascertain their injuries, and load them in under 15 minutes which was accomplished safely. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Iain Stanley)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

As combat search and rescue, this training becomes invaluable for real world scenarios as the personnel’s biggest focus would be the safety of the patients involved. Not only does this safeguard the health of the service member but the training in turn increases lethality.

“This training increases lethality in the Air Force by ensuring our sick and injured service members will receive whatever medical care they need wherever they are,” said Senior Airman Matthew Stivers 908th AES aeromedical evacuation technician. “AE historically maintains a survival rate of over 95% and this training helps us put theories into motion. Integrating with partners on the cutting edge of the fight and helping rescue and recover service members in tough places sits at the core of what we do.”

Through the joint efforts of the AE community and broader rescue communities the survival rate could rise with continued training. The exercise only lasted around two hours but during that time a long list of tasks had to be completed.

Senior Airman Gabriel Romero, 71st Rescue Squadron HC-130J Combat King II loadmaster, prepares the aircraft for aero-medical evacuation crew during a training exercise at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, May 1, 2025. As combat search and rescue training exercises like this prove invaluable during any real world scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Iain Stanley)

71st RQS collaborates with the 908th AES for simulated patient evacuation

Senior Airman Gabriel Romero, 71st Rescue Squadron HC-130J Combat King II loadmaster, prepares the aircraft for aero-medical evacuation crew during a training exercise at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, May 1, 2025. As combat search and rescue training exercises like this prove invaluable during any real world scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Iain Stanley)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
A U.S. Air Force HC-130J Combat King II is prepared for an aero-medical evacuation training at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, May 1, 2025. The aero-medical evacuation training was the first joint operation between the 71st Rescue Squadron and 908th Aero-Medical Evacuation Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Iain Stanley)

71st RQS collaborates with the 908th AES for simulated patient evacuation

A U.S. Air Force HC-130J Combat King II is prepared for an aeromedical evacuation training at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, May 1, 2025. The aeromedical evacuation training was the first joint operation between the 71st Rescue Squadron and the 908th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Iain Stanley)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 908th Aero-Medical Evacuation Squadron load supplies onto an HC-130J Combat King II for training at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, May 1, 2025. AE personnel used all of the equipment brought onto the aircraft to simulate life saving procedures such as blood transfusions and IV’s. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Iain Stanley)

71st RQS collaborates with the 908th AES for simulated patient evacuation

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 908th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron load supplies onto an HC-130J Combat King II for training at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, May 1, 2025. AE personnel used all of the equipment brought onto the aircraft to simulate life saving procedures such as blood transfusions and IV’s. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Iain Stanley)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

“The self-imposed benchmarks we set for ourselves were to be alerted for a mission with an unknown number of patients, perform our crew briefing, arrive to the aircraft, configure it for an AE mission and launch within one hour of receiving the alert,” Stivers said. “The second phase was to receive the patients, triage and ascertain their injuries, and load them in under 15 minutes which we also accomplished safely. During our one-hour flight following this we practiced different skills such as inserting IVs and administering blood products in flight.”

Exercises like this are critical to ensuring that when lives are on the line, rescue personnel are ready to respond swiftly, effectively, and with unwavering precision. The mission may have been simulated, but the commitment to excellence and the drive to save lives is very real.

“This really gave me confidence in my existing knowledge and skills,” Stivers said. “While still providing new opportunities to challenge myself and grow both as an aircrew member and clinically as a paramedic.”

A U.S. Air Force HC-130J Combat King II pilot assigned to the 71st Rescue Squadron prepares to take off at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, May 1, 2025. During the flight the pilots would have to perform multiple simulated evasive maneuvers and operate at a low altitude to minimize detection. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Iain Stanley)

A U.S. Air Force HC-130J Combat King II pilot assigned to the 71st Rescue Squadron prepares to take off at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, May 1, 2025. During the flight the pilots would have to perform multiple simulated evasive maneuvers and operate at a low altitude to minimize detection. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Iain Stanley)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res