There is only one Air Force aeromedical evacuation unit in Afghanistan, and it has flown more than 508 patients since May, reports SSgt. Joshua Jasper. The 455th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight, comprising 17 Air National Guard and nine active duty airmen transport patients from forward operating bases in Afghanistan to Bagram Air Base and on to Germany, if needed. Their transports are C-130s, which they load with about 800 pounds of medical gear twice a day to make pick-ups at FOBs.
The Air Force has embraced new technical approaches like open mission systems and rapid software updates for cutting-edge aircraft like the B-21 and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Increasingly, though, the service is also working to apply these to its older, “legacy” aircraft, officials said this week.