Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron named outstanding medical unit by Reserve Officers Association

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Scott J. Pryor
  • 911 AW/PA
PITTSBURGH IAP ARS --  The 911th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron was selected June 19, 2009 to receive the Reserve Officers Association's 2008 Air Section Outstanding Medical Unit Award.

 
Lt. Col. Jennette Zmaeff, 911th AES commander, accepted the award July 10 at the ROA Annual Convention in Orlando, Fla. The award recognized the squadron's efforts from
October 2007 to September 2008 in performing an Air Expeditionary Force rotation in support of overseas contingency operations. The citation stated that the ingenuity of the squadron's crews flying aeromedical evacuation missions from Iraq and Afghanistan were recognized by the Tanker Airlift Control Center's leadership and the unit was the conduit for critical 'boots on the ground' communication that saved patients' lives.
"We're honored to be selected as ROA's Medical Unit of the Year for 2008," said Lt. Col. Michael F. Fath, 911th AES director of operations.

 "This award recognizes the efforts of every member of the 911th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron who has helped accomplish our mission - to provide the quality in-flight care and timely movement of the wounded warrior." During the time period the squadron flew 48 medical readiness missions. The 911th AES also volunteered for two European Command operations missions and supported Pacific Air Forces and national disaster medical exercises. "The members of our squadron have been consistently deploying across the world in support of all contingencies and natural disasters, from Operations Iraqi Freedom/Enduring Freedom to hurricane relief efforts. The real reward, however, is in knowing that we played a critical role in returning our nation's war fighters home," said Colonel Fath. Senior Master Sgt. Danny Martin, 911th AES assistant superintendent of nursing practice, flew on two important unit missions that helped the squadron win the award. Sergeant Martin was part of a team from the 91th AES that flew on an operational mission from Andews Air Force Base, Md., to Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on a prepositioned C-17 to evacuate Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron named outstanding
medical unit by Reserve Officers Association Public Affairs more than 40 military members from the fighting in Iraq and Afghanastan. He was also was part of a medical evacuation team that flew on a KC-135 out of Travis Air Force Base, Calif., to pick up patients at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii; Kadena Air Base, Japan; and Andersen Air
Base, Guam; and then transported them back to Travis AFB. Sergeant Martin also is in charge of unit medical readiness and is the unit deployment manager. "We had numerous deployments and maintained a high percentage of readiness," said Sergeant Martin. "Our members are always willing to support any contingency. Our people stepped up."