Affectionately know as the 'Anzacs', medical technicians from the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) have seamlessly integrated into the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) aeromedical evacuation team from 3 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (3AES) that deployed to Guam in support of Exercise Mobility Guardian.
Led by the United States Air Force (USAF) Air Mobility Command, Mobility Guardian tests concepts and capabilities through large-scale Pacific operations, and enables the seven participating nations to strengthen relationships and enhance interoperability through multilateral activities.
Mobility Guardian allowed each participating nation to hone vital readiness skills. For Air Force medical teams, that included combining resources and operating from a range of different aircraft types to practise critical care and medical evacuation scenarios.
RAAF Mobility Guardian Detachment Commander Squadron Leader Sharon Johnson said each nation brought unique perspectives and capabilities, enabling RAAF personnel to learn from and leverage their strengths in order to respond rapidly and collectively.
"Mobility Guardian has fostered a sense of solidarity and mutual support among our allied and partner nations," Squadron Leader Johnson said.
"This shared sense of purpose enhances the overall effectiveness of collective defence efforts, improving interoperability and strengthening trust among participating forces."
Over the course of the exercise, 20 aeromedical evacuation missions were conducted across four different aircraft over 11 days of flying. This included the movement of 388 aeromedical evacuation patients, including 61 critical-care patients.
Of the 20 missions, the 'Anzacs' completed six of these, exclusively on foreign forces aircraft such as a USAF C-17 Globemaster, USAF Hercules C-130J, Royal Air Force (RAF) C.1 A400M Atlas and USAF C-5 Galaxy.
Squadron Leader Johnson said her team were the only aeromedical evacuation team to use the C-5 Galaxy, on which they completed a long-haul mission to Hickam Air Force Base (HAFB) in Hawaii.
'The 'Anzacs' were well-respected by all of the participating nations, presenting a team of aviators that are agile, capable, accountable, resilient and mission ready.'
"This was a major learning objective as it presented a range of challenges including security, logistics, equipment compatibility and crew management," Squadron Leader Johnson said.
"By collaborating closely with a USAF representative and the RAAF point of contact at HAFB, we overcame these obstacles and successfully executed the mission.
"The integrated team demonstrated that the 3AES kit could be effectively used on the C-5 Galaxy, proving our adaptability and interoperability in caring for patients on unfamiliar aircraft."
RNZAF medical technician Corporal Tessa Black said because aeromedical evacuation was not a full-time role in the RNZAF, Mobility Guardian provided them exposure to different aircraft, equipment and a variety of clinical skill sets.
"It has been a highlight getting to embed with and work alongside the RAAF aeromedical evacuation team," Corporal Black said.
"They hold extensive knowledge and skills in both clinical and aeromedical evacuation, creating a cohesive team and safe learning space."
Additionally, for Corporal Black, a scenario highlight was conducting an aeromedical evacuation on a USAF C-130J, which involved working closely with teams from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
"Towards the end of the scenario, all nations were involved during a resuscitation, providing an opportunity to test our skills, planning and communication during a high pressure situation," she said.
Squadron Leader Johnson said the RNZAF medical technicians were extremely knowledgeable both clinically and in aircraft awareness, and were an asset to the aeromedical evacuation team.
"It was an amazing opportunity being able to lead a very capable and caring team of amazing clinicians and a logistician throughout Mobility Guardian," Squadron Leader Johnson said.
"The 'Anzacs' were well-respected by all of the participating nations, presenting a team of aviators that are agile, capable, accountable, resilient and mission ready."
