18th AES striving for success

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Stephen G. Eigel
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Collapsing into the sweaty aircrew seats of a KC-135R Stratotanker, out of breath and just listening to the purr of the jet engines just after stabilizing their first patient who went into shock at 8000 ft. above sea level they know all of their training paid off.

Members from the 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron take pride in their training and know that with proper training come good results.

The 18th AES along with volunteers from a few other squadrons spent their free time to volunteer and help build a one-of-a-kind training center that can be used for multiple services.

"We built this from scratch," said Maj. Susan Parda-Watters, 18th AES clinical nurse specialist. "We all volunteered our weekends and after duty hours as well as raised all of the funds, so it did not cost the Air Force a dime for us to make this."

The team put together a state-of-the-art training facility, building a replica a KC-135 fuselage and several trauma and intravenous practicing stations. Although it did not cost the Air Force any money to put this project together it has the potential to save hundreds of thousands of dollars over time.

"The replica we built is in the process of being certified for specific items that you actually have to be in an aircraft to complete," said Parda-Watters. "Having that certification could save the Air Force money in many ways, like fuel cost for plane, temporary duty budget for members and all the fees that go along with getting people training in other places."

Time and money can be saved through conducting training on the ground while also allowing the members here to carry out Kadena's mission better and faster.

"This training is convenient for us because your imagination is the limit with training scenarios," said Senior Airman Kyle Bettis, 18th AES aeromedical technician. "These mannequins can do anything and up in the air you never know what you are going to get. For them to just be able to say 'this is happening, do it' and it feel like the real thing just helps so much."                                                                                     

The mannequins are programmed to mimic all kinds of symptoms and are controlled using a handheld device.

"Our mannequins can bleed, breath, scream, show all kinds of internal problems that our technicians have to use equipment to read and fix," said Parda-Watters. "It helps give them experience and also helps prevent post-traumatic stress because they have been going through these situations here."

The new training center is available at all times, any medical professional from nurses to pararescumen can sign out a time and just go work on what they need practice on for an upcoming evaluation or even just for personal practice Parda-Watters added.

Having the new center at no cost to the Air Force will allow members from many different services to all train together helping to expand the knowledge and performance of individuals allowing them to complete their missions readily and safely.

The 18th AES uses every tool available at Kadena AB, and is committed to maintaining a forward presence and supporting medical contingencies in the Pacific including the only neonatal air facility in the region.