• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

US strengthens NATO medical readiness at Ramstein

NATO Allied Air Command

Dec 1 2025

RAMSTEIN, Germany -- Airmen from the U.S. 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (AES) at Ramstein Air Base enhanced NATO's medical readiness by configuring a C-130H Hercules aircraft for a NATO medical evaluation exercise, 20 November 2025.

Supported by a Critical Care Air Transport Team (CCATT) from Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and a field ambulance unit from the U.S. Army's 16th Sustainment Brigade, the 86th AES enabled the NATO Centre of Excellence for Military Medicine to conduct its culminating mock assessment as part of the Medical Evaluation (MEDEVAL) Course.

The week-long course develops certified evaluators who assess Alliance medical units against NATO standards. During the final scenario, 86th AES Airmen prepared the Hercules for a simulated large-scale medical evacuation, demonstrating how NATO aircrews operate in multinational environments. "Really, this is what we do every day," said U.S. Major Amanda Peterson, assistant director of operations for the 86th AES, "So it didn't take much prep beyond the setup and making sure the crew understood NATO's objectives for the evaluation."

Throughout the mock assessment, the 86th AES worked alongside NATO students, sharing aeromedical evacuation procedures and best practices for patient movement. The collaboration deepened understanding of NATO's shared medical standards and improved interoperability. "By the end of the day, everyone was exchanging experiences," Peterson added. "Those relationships make it easier to work together on future missions."

U.S. Major Justin Stein, a flight nurse evaluator, said the exercise underscored the importance of alignment and cooperation among NATO medical teams, noting that by certifying new evaluators and harmonising standards, the Alliance strengthens its collective readiness for future missions.

Through hands-on cooperation and shared learning, the activity reinforced NATO's commitment to medical readiness, interoperability and collective defence, ensuring Allied aircrews can provide critical care and rapid evacuation whenever and wherever needed.

Story by Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office