News

446th AES earns outstanding award

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Nicole Celestine
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  The numerous squadron patches that decorate Reservists' chairs in the 446th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron temporary headquarters, tell the story of a unit whose Reservists are constantly "on the move," having completed 69 European Command, Western Pacific and several training missions, such as Global Medic, by September 2009. 

That's why, with more than 450 missions flown moving 6,000 patients, the 446th AES won the Air Force Reserve Command Outstanding Aeromedical Evacuation Award in September.

The award is a direct result of working in a well-oiled machine, continuously training and preparing to complete their job - evacuating sick and injured Department of Defense people from harm's way and transferring them to locations that support their recovery in wartime, peacetime and humanitarian operations.

Col. Jan Moore-Harbert, the 446th AES commander, says it's another award well deserved.

"We train not to the standard, but above the standard," said Colonel Moore-Harbert. "I appreciate and respect my group because they have many flying, medical and other requirements to maintain. These requirements are critical to perform their jobs because our patients depend on them."

Tech. Sgt. Jill Petersen, 446th AES flight medic, said she wasn't surprised when she heard the squadron won this award.

"It made me proud to be part of a unit where everyone works really hard to stay trained and ready for deployments," said the two-year Reservist, who is scheduled for a 90-day deployment to Germany soon. "It's not surprising to me that we won this award, because what I've experienced during my training and from working with my peers is that everyone is 'high speed.' They take their jobs seriously." said the Olympia, Wash., native.

Master Sgt. Paul Melkers, 446th AES examiner and flight medic, said the award was a "no brainer," because the squadron is the "go to unit." 

Reservists from the squadron, like Sergeant Melkers, get hand-selected by AFRC to train aeromedical evacuation personnel from other units and military branches. In 2008, 10 squadron members were picked to take part in the Joint Chiefs of Staff Exercise MEDLITE in Tunisia, North Africa.

By September of last year, the squadron gained 18 newly qualified nurses and medical technicians, with 10 of them upgraded to flight instructors and flight examiners. Sixteen more Reservists were certified as emergency response technicians and the 446th AES boasts having the only Reserve flight nurse who helped the Air Force surgeon general on aeromedical evacuation matters.

"Whether it's Global Medic (aeromedical evacuation training exercise) or a humanitarian mission, we're there," said Sergeant Melkers, a Seattle firefighter. "But, if we didn't get any award, it wouldn't really matter, because we are a very good unit and we're good at what we do."

Both sergeants agree that effective communication and consistent training are key elements that keep each part of the aeromedical evacuation machine running on all cylinders. They said the expectation to do one's best starts from the top and sets the tone for all squadron members to follow.

In addition to the team award, several 446th AES Reservists earned individual awards at the AFRC level:

· The Brig. Gen. Peter C. Bellisario Young Health Care Administrator of the Year: 2Lt.  Elizabeth Smith
· Outstanding Reserve Non Commissioned Officer assigned to an Aeromedical Evacuation Unit: Master Sgt. Kristina Kelpis
· Outstanding Enlisted Health Services Management Senior NCO of the Year: Master Sgt. Kristina Kelpis
· Outstanding Enlisted Health Services Management NCO of the Year: Tech. Sgt. Valerie Hagan, and
· Outstanding Enlisted Health Services Management Airman of the Year: Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Mansfield

 The Reservists from the 446th AES continue to stay ready, trained, and equipped to accomplish their mission.

"Our aeromedical evacuation team fully understands they have a huge responsibility to be accountable to do all the things they have to do," said Colonel Moore-Harbert. "We go everywhere as an enabling force. As commander, my expectation is that my team will be trained and ready to do the job they are asked to do, at a moment's notice."