Page 8 - Desert Lightning News So. AZ Edition

8 February 2021 Desert Lightning News Desert Lightning News February 2021 9
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LOOkinG bAck: Medical operations during Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm SquADRON OPERATIONS (from Page 8)
This annual award is presented to an active duty, Air National
Guard or Air Force Reserve rescue unit that scores highest in the accounted for most of the medical evacuations from
Southwest Asia to Europe. Aggressive, preventive
by categories of mission events, combat effectiveness, squadron accom- medicine was effective in minimizing losses to dis-
AiR FoRCe MeDiCAL SeRViCe plishments and community relations. ease. Orthopedic injuries alone accounted for about
“Rated on squadron accomplishments to include mission results, 43% of the evacuees from the theaters.
History Office unit and individual accomplishments and community relations Final statistics on the size of the Air Force medical
FALLS ChURCh, Va. — Just six days after Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, impact, all submissions were outstanding and the competition was deployment are impressive. The 15 air transportable
Aug. 8, 1990, the Air Force Medical Service began its largest deployment fierce,” said Heidi Meisterling, member of the TOMLF board of direc- hospitals, with help from a 250-bed contingency
since the Vietnam War. tors. hospital staffed by the Military Airlift Command,
In August and September 1990, the Air Force placed the first in-theater During the ceremony, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Cedric Stark, highlighted the supplied most of the in-theater hospital beds and
U.S. medical facilities capable of both surgery and chemical decontamination. squadron’s phenomenal accomplishments over the past year. staff for the Air Force in Desert Storm. First-stage
The first Air Force medical teams arrived in the Arabian Peninsula two days “While deployed in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, medical care and evaluation was available at 31
after the combat units. These teams were the main source of medical support the 55th RQS rapidly executed a short notice emergency evacuation, deployed air transportable clinics. The Air Force
to all American military forces until the second week in September 1990. they were the first to deploy the Distributed Aperture Infrared Coun- eventually provided 925 beds in Southwest Asia
The overall Desert Shield medical deployment was much faster than dur- termeasure system, they were the first squadron to contract robot ve- staffed by 4,900 medics, almost one out of every 10
ing the Vietnam War, even though 175 more hospital beds were deployed u.S. Air force photo hicle aerial gunnery targets to aid target acquisition and destruction,” Air Force people who deployed. The Air Force also
during Desert Shield (925 versus 750). Air transportable clinics and hospitals Medical personnel respond to a mass casualty event dur- Stark said. “Those are just a few of the many accomplishments of the deployed 6,900 medics to staff 3,740 beds in the Air
were the key to rapid mobility. The clinics deployed immediately with their ing Operation Desert Storm. First-stage medical care and 55th RQS. The bottom line is that the 55th was head and shoulders Force fixed and contingency hospitals in Europe. By
flying squadrons. The first squadron medical elements and air transportable evaluation was available at 31 deployed air transportable above the rest, which is a huge testament to their amazing year.” the end of the Gulf War, the active-duty AFMS was
clinics left the U.S. Aug. 8, 1990, just one day after the first fighter aircraft clinics. The Air Force eventually provided 925 beds in The distinctive accomplishments of the 55th RQS resulted in their larger than ever, with 14,500 officers, 30,000 enlisted
deployments. The first air transportable hospitals departed Aug. 11 from Southwest Asia staffed by 4,900 medics, almost one out of award of the That Others May Live Rescue Squadron of the Year. medics and about 9,500 civilians.
Shaw, MacDill and Langley Air Force Bases.+ every 10 Air Force people who deployed. “When we look at all the great work the Rescue community is doing The reserve mobilization and deployment was
In mid-August, because of a shortage of airlift capability, U.S. Central around the world, it is extremely humbling to receive this award,” said also essential to the medical deployment. Half of Air
Command directed less-essential support elements to deploy by sealift or Lt. Col. Charles Redmond, 55th RQS commander. “We also recognize Force medics who went to Europe and Southwest
airlift several days after their lead combat elements. By late August, the air u.S. Air force photo and are grateful to be part of the greater team in the 355th Wing that Asia by February 1991 were members of the Air
transportable hospitals began arriving about two weeks after their combat Pictured is a dental clinic dur- has enabled the 563rd RQG to earn this award three years in a row. National Guard and the Air Force Reserve. Reserv-
squadrons. By late October, most of the air transportable medical facilities ing Operation Desert Storm. Specifically, the team effort with the 55th Helicopter Maintenance Senior Airman Nicholas Ross ists accounted for almost 97% of the aeromedical
were committed to the operation. In November, the Persian Gulf deployment The Air Force deployed 6,900 Unit and 355th Contracting Squadron has been the key to our success.” Pictured above is the trophy from the That Oth- evacuation cadre.
expanded to include hospitals from 10 contiguous United States air bases. medics to staff 3,740 beds in While this award was received with humble hearts, the Airmen of ers May Live Foundation that was awarded to Although by historical standards the deployment
Desert Storm, January-February 1991 the Air Force fixed and con- the 55th know that their achievement toward greatness continues. the 55th Rescue Squadron, as the recipients of was extremely rapid and successful, the medical
Most Air Force planners did not anticipate that the air and ground fighting tingency hospitals in Europe. “Well done!” Redmond said. “We will build off this past year’s suc- the Rescue Squadron of the Year award. This service was fortunate that hostilities did not start
during Desert Storm would hardly tax the medical system. The staff at Air u.S. Air force photo By the end of the Gulf War, cess and we will continue to be ready for tonight’s fight by training annual award is presented to an active duty, Air until 163 days after the initial mobilization. Since
Force contingency hospitals in Europe, like many of their counterparts in the The 23rd Tactical Hospital out of England Air Force Base, La., is the active-duty AFMS was for tomorrow’s war.” National Guard or Air Force Reserve rescue unit there was no guarantee that this lead time would
Arabian Peninsula, practiced very little combat medicine because casualties shown during Operation Desert Storm. Just six days after Iraq’s larger than ever, with 14,500 Thanks to their outstanding accomplishments, the 55th RQS has that scores highest in the categories of mission be available in a future war, the AFMS immediately
were so low. From August 1990 to March 1991, disease and non-battle injuries invasion of Kuwait, Aug. 8, 1990, the Air Force Medical Service officers, 30,000 enlisted med- proven to be the top rescue squadron in the Air Force for 2020 and events, combat effectiveness, squadron accom- began to ensure that its next response would be even
See OPERATIONS, Page 9 began its largest deployment since the Vietnam War. ics and about 9,500 civilians. will continue their legacy of excellence for years to come. plishments and community relations. more timely and efficient.

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