An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

NEWS | Sept. 30, 2022

Firebirds transport critically infected patient from Okinawa to Hawaii

By David Bedard 176th Wing Public Affairs

Airmen of 517th Airlift Squadron transported an infected patient and family Sept. 21 from Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.

The C-17 Globemaster III-equipped unit is a regular Air Force unit associated with the Alaska Air National Guard’s 144th Airlift Squadron, where the 144th AS owns the aircraft and the 517th AS provides additional aircrew.

The aircrew was 517th AS pure and was accompanied by a 176th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron C-17 crew chief maintainer.

Air Force Maj. Gabriel Paterson, C-17 pilot and 517th AS assistant director of operations, said the crew received the mission in Thailand after dropping off servicemembers there.

Paterson said after they arrived at Kadena AB, 517th AS loadmasters loaded a Negative Pressure Conex-Lite and plugged the system into the Globemaster’s power supply with the assistance of the 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. Once the system was ready, an ambulance arrived with the patient who was sealed in the conex with family members as well as 18th AES and 18th Medical Group medical technicians who provided patient care.

According to a 15th Wing Public Affairs news release, the 15th Medical Group provided ground medical evacuation support, transloading the patient to a 535th Airlift Squadron C-17 at JBPHH.

Paterson said, though he has trained aeromedical evacuation during exercises, this mission was his first time operationally supporting the critical function. He said the Globemaster is well suited to the mission.

"The jet is very capable with the ability to load different types of cargo and the equipment to quickly meet the needs of critical patients such as this," the Monument, Colorado, native said. "Also, the C-17 has long legs carrying plenty of fuel to get anywhere in a short amount of time, so we're ideal for the mission."

The C-17 pilot said, though the mission was unexpected, he was pleased to be able to help a patient in need.

“It’s always good when you can help,” Paterson said. “It was a little chaotic at first figuring out what was going on, but it’s nice to jump on something last minute to be able to help out a patient and family get to where they need to go – especially when you have family overseas who need to get back to the states for the care they need.”

Alaska State Defense Force volunteerism shines at Mat-Su Arctic Winter Games
April 24, 2024
na

First annual AKNG Earth Day inspires youth, brings awareness to military’s role in conservation
April 24, 2024
N/A

U.S. Army and Marine Corps forge joint efforts to enhance aviation tactics
April 23, 2024
An Alaska Army National Guard UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter assigned to the 207th Aviation Troop Command performs a defensive maneuver while evading a simulated aerial threat during the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course 2-24 near Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., March 28, 2024.

Alaska Air National Guard officer shares story with Service High JROTC
April 22, 2024
Alaska Air National Guard officer shares story with Service High JROTC

Alaska Air National Guard rescues stranded skiers at Kenai Fjords National Park
April 22, 2024
Stranded Skiers Rescued from Kenai Fjords National Park via Helicopter

Expanding horizons: Kusilvak Career Academy students tour Air National Guard facilities
April 9, 2024
na

A selfless effort: Alaska National Guard teen wins NG Youth Volunteer of the Year award during visit to state legislature
April 9, 2024
na

Alaska Air National Guard rescue Airmen help 3 over Easter weekend
April 4, 2024
Alaska Air National Guard rescue Airmen help 3 over Easter weekend

Running with the Wind: Alaska Air Guard HC-130J Combat King II expedites critical medevac
April 1, 2024
Alaska Air National Guard parachutes into Kotlik to medevac critically ill patient

Bethel Readiness Center dedicated to local veteran, distinguished leader in community
March 19, 2024
Bethel Readiness Center dedicated to local veteran, distinguished leader in community