Photo By Staff Sgt. Shelby Thurman | From left, 2nd Lt. Chris Bennett, 908th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron flight nurse,...... read more read more
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The patient says his chest is tight,” Capt. Shavonne Smith signaled to the flight nurses and technicians aboard the C-130 Hercules July 10, 2020, in the air above Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.
Thankfully, the alert that the 908th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron medical clinical coordinator was relaying was for a training exercise. Multiple times a month, 908th AES members take to the Alabama skies for more readiness training. Each flight has an Aeromedical Evacuation Crew of five members, two flight nurses and three medical technicians, who provide in-flight medical care, said Master Sgt. Malia Butler, 908th AES flight instructor and currently an instructor upgrade candidate.
“We ensure that we are always ready to answer our nation’s call, no matter if it’s operational, humanitarian or peacetime,” said Butler.
Having the 908th AES be a part of the 908th Airlift Wing is vital to its overall mission readiness and success. The other members of the aircraft’s functionality are more than happy to partake in the 908th AES’s mission.
“It’s great to fly with AES because when they get to train, we get to train,” said Capt. Shawn Riches, 357th Airlift Squadron navigator. “At the end of the day, it’s one team, one fight.”
There are many others aboard the Hercules and all across the wing that share the same sentiments.
“We are necessary because we are committed to our promise of bringing our troops back,” said Senior Airman Olivia Oxford, 908th AES technician.
This promise of caring for other service members and civilians by treating them while taking them away from conflict, and potential tragedy, is a great source of pride for many of the 908th AES members and the other crew members involved.
“Every day, somebody’s mother, daughter, or father signs that sacrificial line and we are committed to bringing them home,” said Oxford. “That’s the joy in our job.”
Being able to save lives by whisking victims from danger and taking care of them during transit is a necessary skill and passion that the 908th AES strives to hone, in both themselves and others, for generations to come. This vitality is why it is essential to train future service members who dream of joining 908th AES.
“I enjoy being an instructor and training cohorts who will one day replace me,” admitted Butler. “I desire for them to be even better than I am by continuing the culture of standing true to our core values of, Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence In All We Do.”
| Date Taken: | 09.01.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 09.29.2020 11:28 |
| Story ID: | 378621 |
| Location: | MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, ALABAMA, US |
| Web Views: | 136 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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