137th Oklahoma Air National Guard medical team trains aboard KC-135

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Lauren C. Gleason
  • 507th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, OKLA. --  Eleven members of the 137th Oklahoma Air National Guard Air Refueling Wing flew a combination training mission aboard a KC-135R Stratotanker for patient care and in-flight refueling training on May 29th, 2014.

Nine 137th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron members practiced medical scenarios and aircraft emergencies while two pilots and a boom operator from the 185th Refueling Squadron simultaneously provided in-flight refueling for multiple F-16 fighter jets.

"We had a phenomenal day of training," said 1st Lt. Jessica Dodson, who led the team as Medical Crew Director.

Captain Chris Lane, mission clinical coordinator, said utilization of realistic exercises is critical to maintaining skill levels of the medics on board.

"It's cyclical," Lane said. "We train at home for what we see in combat, and what we see in combat we bring home to incorporate into our training missions."

Two registered nurses and three medical technicians make up the aeromedical evacuation team. As part of their training, flight nurses and medics attend flight school and survival school.

"In addition to our roles as medics, we also respond appropriately to aircraft emergencies such as rapid decompression of the cabin and fire and smoke on board," Lane said.

The medical scenarios range from treating minor pain to managing patients experiencing post-traumatic stress.

"It's a great learning environment," Lane said. "We provide each other constructive criticism and use it to sharpen our knowledge and skills when providing combat care."
The team provides in-flight care to wounded warriors in theater as well as their flight home.

"From takeoff to landing our primary concern is the safety and comfort of our patients," Dodson said.

The team deploys regularly and all their medical equipment is fully operational, making the transition from a training mission to a real world mission seamless in the event of an emergency.

According to Dodson, taking care of wounded warriors and bringing them home is the most rewarding aspect of serving in the military.

"I think I have the best job in the Air Force," Dodson said.