34th AES supports hurricane rescue efforts

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. David D. Morton
  • Front Range Flyer
Peterson AFB, Colo. --  The 34th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron has only been in existence for five months, but is already making a mission impact as part of the 302nd Airlift Wing. 

Tech Sgt. Michelle Gray and Staff Sgt. Rebecca Diaz, two of the squadron's AES medical technicians deployed August 29th as part of a rainbow support package with other AE personnel from Scott Air Force Base, Ill. to assist in evacuation efforts as a result of Hurricane Gustav. 

Together, the team was responsible for transporting elderly and ill patients from hospitals and nursing homes in direct path of the storm.
"Even though we didn't know what to expect once in place, we ended up putting in a 20-hour workday upon arrival," said Sergeant Diaz. 

Together, AES personnel from the 433rd AW, Lackland AFB, Texas; the 439th AW, Westover AFB, Mass.; 445th AW Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio; 514th AW McGuire AFB, N.J.; 908th AW Maxwell AFB, Ala; and the 911th AW Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pa. ; ended up transporting more that 300Gulf Coast patients from Terrebonne Bay, La. just west of New Orleans as Gustav hit land on Sept. 1. 

"Supporting natural disasters is much different from working in the desert and transporting wounded war-fighters," said Senior Master Sgt. Rich Buchanan, 34th AES senior air reserve technician. "We're glad to help." 

Sixty percent of the Air Force's AE capability is performed by the Air Force Reserve Command, and 88 percent of AE comes from the Reserve and Guard. 

"I'm proud of the work we do," said Lt. Col. Kathleen Flarity, 34th AES commander. "The mission in times of peace, conflict and natural disasters is a rewarding one."
The 34th AES was activated as part of the 302nd Operations Group on April 4.