Building a new squadron from scratch

  • Published
  • By Maj. Ted Theopolos
  • 445th Airlift Wing
In an earth tone medal building surrounded by shrubs, located on Rimkus Drive is the new home of the 775th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (775 EAES). The building was vacant for some time and now is the home to aeromedical personnel who travel to Scott from around the country to work as a team.

The new squadron that stood-up in September is commanded by Col. Allen Gilbar from the 445th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron from Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. The colonel took a leave of absence to be the new commander at Scott till the end of February to help establish the new squadron.

"This is a tremendously important mission to the families of our soldiers and I am truly fortunate to have the best medical personnel that our nation has to offer to ensure its complete success everyday," said Col. Gilbar.

Scott is home to the 375th Airlift Wing which supports several different tenants including U.S. Transportation Command and Air Mobility Command.

"The 375th Operations Group and 375th AES have provided us every possible assistance to ensure our mission capability," said Col. Gilbar. "Their commitment to serving patients is evident in the help and truly tremendous support they have provided to the establishment of this new squadron."

What makes this new EAES unique is it's mostly staffed by Air Force aeromedical reservists from around the country. Individuals are assigned from 60 to 120 days. Each member must be mobility qualified before being assigned to the all volunteer squadron.

"Predictability is the best thing for the squadron." said Col. Gilbar. "Reservists can predict how long they will be gone and where they will be located. This is not only good for reservists, their families but also for employers. Employers need to know for their planning also."

The new squadron has two detachments assigned. Det. 1 is on the east coast at Andrews AFB, Md. Det. 2 is on the west coast at Travis AFB, California. The Scott AFB squadron is made up of crews and an aeromedical evacuation operations team along with the command element. Each detachment was a different number of AE crews assigned along with an Aeromedical Evacuation Operations Team (AEOT). Each AE crew consists of two nurses and three medical technicians.

Chief Master Sgt. Miriam Mitchell, an IMA from Buford, Georgia who drills with the 6th Medical Group at MacDill AFB Hospital in Tampa, Fla., joined the squadron for three months. "It will be my job to keep the commander informed of all the personnel and where they're located."

Scott will have 29 people assigned which include AE crews, AEOT personnel and the command element.

"The stand-up happened to coincide with AEF rotation three and four," said Maj. Michael Ayres from 94th AES at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga. The major is assigned as the squadron's director of operations.

"One of our initiatives is to be able to transport patients that can travel to their home base or close to it within two-days after arriving back from overseas," said Ayers. "We have about six flights a week to do this."

Staff Sgt. Brandy Miller from the 445th AES will work as medical logistic supply. "I order supplies for the medical aircrew and take care of their in-flight kits," said Sgt. Miller. "I have to get the money for the supplies first and then order the equipment and ensure all are up to date by Air Force standards. I also travel to the detachments to visit other "logies" to see how their doing."

This is the second voluntary tour for Sgt. Miller. She did 120 days at Ramstein Air Base, Germany doing the same type duties. "This is great experience starting from scratch," said Sgt. Miller.

"Every member assigned is a highly trained health care professional in their civilian community and the Air Force Reserve or active duty Air Force," said Col. Gilbar "Every member has volunteered to serve their nation to accomplish any mission required 24 hours a day 7 days a week."