Forming Ex HIGH WIRE, 4626 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, based at Tactical Medical Wing (TMW) hosted the 315th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron over our June training weekend. The 315th is the Sqns American counter parts based in Charleston, South Carolina, USA.
From the 13th to the 17th of June 25, the Squadron would take part in capability briefs, medical scenario training on ground and in the air, plus a Battle of Britain walk through London and a presentation evening. Monday`s training would be Pre-Hospital Emergency Care (PHEC). This is a role that the 315th does not undertake, so a triage scenario post role briefs, in a smoke filled, darkened Medical Treatment Facility (MTF) offered an experience to our US colleagues.
The 315th arrived at RAF Brize Norton in their own C17 Globemaster. As part of the collaborative learning, and with an airframe available, both 4626 Sqn and the 315th prepped the aircraft in their own style to practice aeromedical scenarios whilst flying. This meant both Sqns can learn best practice from one another. Due to Trooping of the Colour, the flying area was very restricted and so, the aircraft flew circles around North Wales for 3 hours. Thankfully, no air sickness, but a great experience for those involved with the flying, that provided the disorientation and communication issues expected on missions.
Capable of carrying 36 stretcher patients, the C17 is very capable as an aeromedical platform. Here and looking towards the front of the aircraft, the 315th and 4626 Squadron get to grips with prepping the stretcher stanchions and preparing the simulated patients to fly in the cavernous space the aircraft provides. This teamwork and interoperability ensure we are ready to work alongside each other in peace and conflict operations.
The 315th experienced the Deployable Air Isolator Team (DAIT) capability. Pictured is the EpiShuttle that carries patients infected with a form of High Consequence Infection Disease (HCID) like Ebola. Included in the briefing by Sqn Ldr Cooling, was the Air Transportable Isolator where the patient can sit up and offers more space for the clinicians to work internally. This is a joint Government and RAF Medical Services asset that can be deployed at very short notice as a team of 17.
Following on from the presentation evening on Saturday, hosts from 4626 Sqn took our American colleagues to London to conduct a Battle of Britain guided tour. 8 Members of 4626 Squadron gave historical briefs about the Battle of Britain and landmarks in London fundamental to it`s victory. A long, hot day that would see everyone walk over 15 miles, but a day enjoyed by all that attended, especially those that had not been to the Capitol before.
The partnership between 4626 Squadron and the 315th Squadron continues to grow for the better and this training weekend further reinforced the view that medical interoperability can be a true force enabler that could be effectively utilised should the time come.
4626 Squadron is based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. Medical Reserves provide personnel to the RAF and Defence Medical Services operational medical capabilities, including aeromedical evacuation and pre-hospital, primary and secondary healthcare. Personnel are mostly recruited from the NHS and private healthcare sector from across England and Wales. The Squadron has deployed personnel to all major operations since its formation and also humanitarian ops such as assisting in the treatment of Ebola victims in Sierra Leone and hurricane victims in the Caribbean.
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