U.S., Japan aeromedics collaborate during bilateral exchange

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jason Lake
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  More than 50 U.S. Air Force and Japan Air Self Defense Forces Airmen took initial steps toward shared aeromedical evacuation capabilities during a bilateral exchange at Naha Air Base and Kadena Air Base, July 22-23.

Airmen from the 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron showed their Japanese counterparts their unique capabilities and equipment while touring a 353rd Special Operations Group C-130 Combat Shadow and a 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker.

Key members of the 18th AES, which is the U.S. Air Force's sole aeromedical unit in the Western Pacific, also saw JASDF's new "Kido-Eisei" intensive care medical response demonstration inside a JASDF C-130 at Naha Air Base.

The exchange project spawned out of an initiative between Gen. Raymond Johns, Air Mobility Command commander, and Japan Air Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenichiro Hokazono earlier this year. One of biggest goals of the exchange was to expand interoperability between the U.S. Air Force unit and Japan's a first-ever aeromedical evacuation squadron, or AMES, based out of Komaki Air Base, in Aichi Prefecture, Japan.

"The 18th AES learned a great deal about the successes and future challenges of the JASDF [unit] and their ability to engage in aeromedical evacuation missions," explained Maj. Theresa Murphy, 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron director of operations and project officer of the event. "Japan has significant potential to be a regional leader in disaster response and humanitarian assistance."

Col. John Ewing, 18th AES commander, said last week's exchange has opened the door to future bilateral operations with their JASDF counterparts.

"The USAF has established outreach programs with several international partners in the aeromedical evacuation arena, all aimed at helping develop emerging programs and ultimately establishing integrated operations in the future," he said. "Our exchange with the AMES was our first step in establishing integrated aeromedical evacuation operations with the JASDF and I am excited about the long-term possibilities. I know we can both learn a lot from one another."

According to Major Murphy, JASDF's Surgeon General, Maj. General Norihiko Yamada, and Pacific Air Forces' International Health Specialists Chief Col. Craig Castillo, have been discussing sending the 18th AES to Komaki AB to learn more about their capabilities.

"We also have a proposal for potential future engagements including a JASDF observation of a U.S. Air Force aeromedical evacuation mission within Japan, a joint exercise, and utilization of a JASDF C-130 in the U.S. Air Force inter-Japan aeromedical evacuation channel mission."