News

Aeromedical crews evacuate 750

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Candice Allen
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
In January, eight Reservists from the 446th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron returned home after saving lives in Germany, Iraq, and Afghanistan, for three months. 


Just the month prior, eight Reserve medics left McChord AFB to take their place.
"We have very seasoned, willing medical professionals who continue to volunteer for these deployments," said Col. Jan Moore-Harbert, commander of the 446th AES. "Our Reservists have played a part in the highest casualty survivability rate seen in any major conflict." 

These Reservists save not only the lives of wounded Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, and Sailors, but anyone who requires even routine medical attention on their watch. 

"We treated and evacuated out more than 750 patients - coalition forces and U.S.," said Lt. Col. Randy Miller, training flight commander of the 446th AES and deployed commander of the 455th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight at Bagram AB, Afghanistan. 

Not only did they evacuate these patients, they were in charge of launching and recovering all aeromedical evacuation missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

"Sometimes we had only one critical patient who needed to be evacuated, or we could move 20 or more patients the next time a mission launched, said Tech. Sgt. David Livingstone, who was assigned as the aviation resource management craftsman of the 455th EAEF. "Every day was something different - it was never a routine.
 
"When I left, we had processed 140 missions," he said. "We helped all launch and recovery missions for AE out of Bagram. Sometimes we had a three-hour notice, sometimes we had 45 minutes." 

For many Reservists in this in-demand squadron, deployments are nothing new. 

"Since 2003, this is my fourth deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom," said Colonel Miller. "It's always bittersweet - you are glad to be home, but there is still a mission to be done." 

Since August, the 446th AES has deployed Reservists to various locations in Central Command and European Command to evacuate patients.