The 375th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron’s staff can arrange precise, high-fidelity task training and mission simulations in the C-130H fuselage trainer’s controlled environment
The 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs Scott Air Force Base (AFB) Airmen have recently started using a new ground aeromedical evacuation fuselage trainer, according to the post Total Force aeromedical Airmen receive new trainer written by Senior Airman Tristin English (FuT).
The 375th Air Mobility Wing was able to get a C-130H aircraft that was due to be decommissioned from Little Rock AFB, Arkansas, in 2016 by working with Air Mobility Command (AMC). According to Maj. Mark Hassett, the operations flight commander for the 375th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (AES), the C-130 serves as this squadron’s principal aircraft and executes a significant number of patient evacuations while downrange.
“The C-130H FuT provides an innovative, cost-effective, improved training platform for total force AE and grounds support personnel in terms of aircraft configuration familiarization and realistic, high-fidelity task training and mission simulation,” said Hassett. “The C-130 FuT doubles the 375th AES simulation training capability.”
To ensure that the AE crews and ground support workers are highly proficient in providing high-quality, highly reliable patient transport in support of its mission, the en-route care environment is dynamic and requires ongoing innovation.
“[The 375th] AES worked with AMC and C-130 training resources to determine what parts were needed to sustain a realistic training platform,” said Hassett. “Critical components deemed unnecessary for AE training were removed from the aircraft and recycled so other agencies could use them.”
The 375th AES personnel can schedule precise, high-fidelity task training and mission simulations in the C-130H FuT’s controlled environment. Lessons learned will be put to use by ground support personnel and aeromedical evacuation crew members from any medical AF specialty code. In order to better support the AE personnel and the Tactical Aeromedical Evacuation System mission, they will also be able to maintain task proficiency.
“In conjunction with our KC-135 Simulation Learning Center/Cargo Compartment Trainer, both training platforms provide [Scott AFB’s Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron] two of the three primary aircraft used for aeromedical evacuation in a low threat, hi-fidelity capacity for clinical as well as operational exposure.”
Additionally, the FuT enables hands-on muscle memory for configuration, in-flight kit placement, electrical, oxygen, emergency exits, etc. Overall, the aeromedical evacuation technicians have acquired the necessary ready abilities. As basic and operational skills are consistent with the semi-annual training requirements that are finished both in the Cargo Compartment Trainer (CCT), FuT, and flight, depending on training level, flight nurses have moved on to these competencies.
“Any aeromedical evacuation squadron—Guard, Reserve, or active duty—are welcome to train on our FuT,” said Hassett. “In fact, some already have trained with our simulation facility. In the future, we anticipate being a regional hub for AE training.”
The addition of a C-130H FuT offers an innovative, cost-effective training platform for the 375th AES to better sustain technically proficient, highly skilled, multi-functional AE crews and ground support personnel due to the complexity of acquiring training missions for AE crews and ground support personnel.
“When the FuT was temporarily parked on the flight line, it could only be partially used for AE training,” said Lt. Col. Catherine Bonhoff, 375th AES operations officer. By moving it to a concrete pad with appropriate electrical support, the 502nd Training Development Squadron can restore and modify the interior so that it can be certified as an AE trainer.
“This means that aeromedical evacuation crew members can receive the same credit for designated training events on the FuT as they would for flying in the aircraft. If the FuT didn’t move, then it would not have a stable power source and therefore could not be modified and used as a certified trainer.”
Photo by U.S. Air Force