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Andersen Airmen Treat, Transport Injured Sailors

by Staff Sgt. Chris Powell

Airmen from the 36th Medical Group and 734th Air Mobility Squadron played an integral role in treating and transporting six critically injured Sailors Dec. 2 from Andersen AFB to Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.

The Sailors were transported via a C-17 Globemaster III to Hickam AFB, then onto the Army's Burn Center at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, where they will receive specialized care.

The Sailors sustained injuries as a result of an accident aboard a Navy submarine tender, according to a Naval Base Guam press release. The Sailors were conducting routine maintenance in an engineering space in the USS Frank Cable (AS 40) when a steam line from a boiler deck in the lower level ruptured, burning the sailors.

"This was truly an amazing life-saving effort," said Brig. Gen. Douglas H. Owen, 36th Wing commander. "The tactics, techniques, procedures and technology born out of necessity in Iraq and Afghanistan were put to full use on Guam. I could not have been more proud of all our folks and the joint effort with the Navy in midst of this tragic incident."

Work on the medical evacuation on Andersen AFB began immediately after base units received the notification.

"We began coordinating approximately 10:30 p.m. Friday when Col. Joel Westa (36th Wing vice commander) notified me of the emergency," said Col. Jim Drape, 734th AMS commander. "We coordinated for the C-17 to change its mission for the aeromedical evacuation and for the crew to go into crew rest.

"My operations officer, Lt. Col. Joe Hayslett, had the lead role in coordinating with the Navy, air evacuation cell, Pacific Air Force and down-line stations," the colonel said.

Colonel Hayslett then coordinated for the alert air evacuation KC-135 Stratotanker from Kadena Air Base, Japan, which brought the aeromedical flight crew and equipment. Then, 734th AMS members downloaded the equipment and assisted in uploading it onto the C-17, according to Colonel Drape.

While the 734th AMS began coordinating aircraft movement, members of the 36th Medical Group scrubbed their manning document to provide nurses and technicians who had aeromedical and intensive care experience.

"The nurses and technicians performed extremely well," said Col. Walter Cayce, 36th MDG commander. "We were able to assist with, not only the transport of patients but also provide additional aeromedical equipment, to stabilize the patients and prepare them for the long trip to the Brooke Army Medical Center."

The joint effort and quick response between the military and civilian communities on Guam, enabled the patients to be moved from Guam to San Antonio safely within 48 hours of the incident, said Colonel Cayce.

Like with any mission, there were some hurdles the 734th AMS members had to overcome to make it a success.

"On this mission, everyone wanted to help and provide these Sailors the best chance at survival; with so many agencies involved, it was a challenge to coordinate the communication," Colonel Drape said. "The 734th Air Mobility Control Center (members) stepped up to the challenge and performed admirably."

The colonel said this mission shows the importance of joint teamwork between the Air Force and Navy.

"(It's) absolutely imperative that we work together, especially on Guam. We have limited resources, and only by working together, understanding each others' requirements and constantly reviewing the processes for updates can we be successful at performing these tasks safely, in an expeditious manner, and consequently save lives," he said. "That is the main concern, saving the life of an individual."

(Army Sgt. Catherine Talento and Air Force Print News contributed to this story)

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Source: U.S. Air Force