433rd AES creating critical training requirements for C-5 Published Oct. 9, 2015 By Benjamin Faske 433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- Thirteen members from the 433rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron recently completed a training mission aboard a C-5A Galaxy Oct. 7. The training included a simulated fire in the cargo hold, a patient in cardiac arrest, and a psychiatric patient in crisis. The training mission was the third flight in a series of five evolutions with the primary objectives being to establish aeromedical readiness missions for the C-5 and identify aeromedical evacuation crew member requirements. "From a command perspective, everyone is trying to look for a way to save money, "said Lt. Col. Carolyn Dale, 433rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron chief nurse. "With the 433rd using the C-5, we are able to save the Air Force Reserve Command $1.9 million by flying a least 24 missions annually. We invited our inspectors and examiners on this flight to try and teach them so that we can go back to the squadron and train other current and qualified members." Having the capability to provide aeromedical care on a C-5 is critical, because it provides 433rd AES members the opportunity to practice their skills on an airframe that is readily available to them. Traditionally the 433rd AES relies on other airframes to perform their mission, like the C-17 Globemaster, C-130 Hercules, and KC-135 Stratotanker. Retrofitting a C-5 for aeromedical evacuation is no small feat. "Some of the challenges that are associated with this training are airframe configuration and setup," said Capt. Charlie South, 433rd AES medical nurse. "The oxygen and electrical have to be setup in the cargo area while lines are streamed up to the troop level where our patients are." Another configuration aeromedical personnel must familiarize themselves with is the litter placements in the troop compartment. The patient litters are laid across the passenger seating and then strapped to the deck of the aircraft. The number of patients the C-5 can carry is limited to the number of passenger seats on the troop level. The maximum number of litter patients that can be carried on the C-5 troop level is twelve. "The major difference is having to use the troop compartment and having to use a 785 high lift loader to get our patients up to the flight deck, versus the C-130 or C-17 where you just carry your patients up the ramp," said Senior Master Sgt. Rob Rodriguez 433rd AES nursing service superintendent. However, for humanitarian relief, the cargo hold can be used to transport patients in extreme conditions. In 2005 during Hurricane Katrina, a large number of patients were loaded into the cargo hold and evacuated out of New Orleans. The 433rd AES is blazing the trail for other aeromedical squadrons across the Air Force. This training is giving another option to commanders in the field who need to evacuate the severely injured. "I think it's a good platform, and from the 433rd's perspective if we get tasked with a real world mission we will be more confident, prepared, and ready to give care to the patients and their families."