While the KC-135 Stratotanker was originally designed to extend the length of other aircrafts' flight times, aircrews at Fairchild are also using the airplane for a completely different mission: to extend medical care to critically injured patients. Tanker aircraft began augmenting the Air Force's aeromedical evacuation mission in 2003, demonstrating the versatility of both the airframe and the crews who fly it. On a recent mission by Fairchild Airmen, a crew from the 92nd Air Refueling Squadron logged 50 hours of flying time over nine days in order to provide medical treatment to numerous patients.
"All in all, it was kind of eye-opening to me," said Capt. Denique Asion, a KC-135 pilot from the 92nd ARS, about his first aeromedical evacuation mission. "It's neat to be on a flight where you're directly involved in saving lives. When you refuel an A-10 (Thunderbolt II) and the pilot says, 'Thanks for saving our butts,' it's a great feeling. But, it's not as cool as getting a patient to the hospital."
Read more
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.