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April 28,  2003

First CONUS expeditionary AE squadron stands up

By 2nd Lt. Nicole Barnum
375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AMCNS) - The 775th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, the first of its kind in the continental United States, stood up operations here April 7. The squadron is attached to Scott's 375th Airlift Wing and its mission is to return injured servicemembers to their home unit inside the United States for further care.

Activated Reserve and Guard flight nurses, AE technicians, critical care specialists, radio operators, medical logisticians, medical equipment repair personnel and administrative staff from across the country make up the EAES.

The 115 members of the squadron are on orders for 179 days, and are stationed both here and at Andrews AFB, Md.

The squadron is filling a specific duty and once that need diminishes, it will deactivate, said Maj. Lisa DeDecker, the 775th EAES deputy commander.

"We are a full-service AE squadron bringing together the capability and expertise of our total force," said Maj. Tami Averett-Brauer, 775th EAES director of operations.

"The 775th EAES embodies the vision of AE with its multi-certified aircrews and multi-platform operations," Major DeDecker said.

Members of the squadron see their role as caring for heroes. Major Averett-Brauer recalls an encounter on a recent flight home in which she had the opportunity to speak with a young soldier wounded in downtown Baghdad. Despite her injuries, the soldier simply wanted to get back to her unit and continue fighting.

"Having the opportunity to take care of these courageous heroes is what it's all about," said Major Averett-Brauer.

AE crews need to be able to take care of patients on any aircraft, and being at Scott provides a wonderful opportunity to cross-train their active duty and Reserve peers, said Major DeDecker. She hopes that the squadron, whose members are trained and certified on many airframes, will have the chance to do just that while they're deployed at Scott and Andrews.

"This is another great example of the total force concept in action at Scott," said Col. Darren McDew, commander, 375th Airlift Wing. "Together with the 932nd Airlift Wing, the 126th Aerial Refueling Wing and the 375th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, we're working together to stay at the forefront of aeromedical evacuation, and not only support the mission here at Scott, but operations around the world."