Aeromedical Evacuation: Validating Civil Reserve Air Fleet
Abstract
The strategic requirement of the Aeromedical Evacuation (AE) segment of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) has never been formally tested and validated during an actual joint or interagency exercise or operation. Research indicates that January 2002 was the last internal Air Force (AF) test for CRAF AE; there were no external agencies or services involved in the exercise. The realized benefit for CRAF engagement during a formal Department of Defense (DoD) national level exercise (NLE) would be extremely valuable in that multipleinteragency coordination would be affected during the activation process. When formally planned, funded, and exercised with minimal artificialities, participants may identify changes resulting from current global transportation requirements. The degradation of our economy and cost benefit (incentives) to participants may place stress on the process as well. While the CRAF AE segment no doubt is vital to DoD patient movement (PM) augmentation, a program of strategic importance and scope must be periodically exercised, updated, and validated. This paper discusses the history and development of the AE segment, last test of the system, identified shortfalls, current program conflicts, and future opportunities to formally validate CRAF AE. Not only would the aircraft, AE crews and PM teams and equipment be exercised, but the activation process for CRAF AE would be validated. Moreover, DoD interaction with civil authorities and federal agencies would realize the rare benefit of joint participation; that in itself is a win-win situation. Finally, this paper will conclude that there is a compelling necessity for DoD to periodically validate CRAF AE and offer recommendations for future exercise development.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 25, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA510833
Entities
People
- Damon K. Gooch
Organizations
- University of Texas at Austin