MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --The 45th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron hosted its first ever AES Rodeo Sep. 9 at MacDill Air Force Base.
The AES Rodeo is a friendly competition within the squadron meant to showcase their skill sets and perform their duties while building morale and interpersonal relationships.
“This event was great! I thought it was not only fun but a great example of what we can expect when we deploy,” said 1st Lt. Marc Hogan, 45th AES health services administrator. “The crews were able to develop chemistry with one another and hone our skills.”
Participants were split into three teams to perform different tasks, from setting up the medical stations in the C-130, to strapping and loading patients onto the aircraft, all to be completed in a calm and efficient manner. Each station trains Airmen on the use and misuse of given skill sets with hands on application and scenario-driven exercises.
During the exercise a team of evaluators were in charge of keeping track of time and ensuring that the participants were performing their jobs correctly.
“What we were looking for from our Airmen was ensuring that they can go through the full process of ensuring the aircrafts are ready, and then securing the patients,” said Capt. Carl Sidney, 45th AES health services administrator. “It was great to see how they completed all of their tasks in a timely matter.
Continuous training on these methods is important to instilling and maintaining combat readiness amongst the Airmen, and is especially essential to those who are either deploying or relocating to a base where these skills may be essential. The AES Rodeo delivers education and training that is vital to the mission. These exercises keep Airmen fit to fight.
“I thought the AES Rodeo was a huge success, as it not only improved our quick response mission readiness, but it was a boost to the units morale,” said Col. James Palmisano, 45th AES commander. “Our plan is to do more of these events to continue to improve our overall ability to rapidly configure aircraft for emergency medical missions going forward.”