Nine Reservists, most from the 433rd Airlift Wing at Lackland AFB, Tex., stepped up to coordinate the unprecedented aeromedical evacuation efforts following Hurricane Katrina. The Air Force Reserve Command personnel shepherded 125 military and civilian airplanes, making runs from New Orleans to San Antonio. The medevac controllers cycled medical teams of active, Guard, and Reserve personnel from around the country on the flights, which transported an estimated 9,788 medical evacuees. Initially reservists handled 98 percent of the Hurricane Katrina aeromedical evacuations. By Sept. 7, the reserve share was 80 percent, largely because most of the work was done.
While the Pentagon has signaled its intent to scale technology, field new systems faster, and work more with nontraditional vendors, a new report identifies persistent manufacturing capacity, resourcing, workforce, and modernization challenges that could hinder its ability to deliver on those goals.