RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) hosted military health personnel from Chad, Ghana, and Senegal for an Aeromedical Evacuation (AE) Familiarization visit at Ramstein Air Base from September 3-6, 2024.

The four-day event, coordinated with U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and U.S. Embassy teams, aimed to enhance the African partners' understanding of aerial patient movement and strengthen international cooperation in military healthcare.

Participants toured key facilities at Ramstein, including the 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, the U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) Patient Movement Requirement Center, and the 86th Medical Group's En-route Patient Staging System (ERPSS). They also visited the Army's 512th Field Hospital, gaining a comprehensive view of the U.S. military's aeromedical capabilities.

The visiting nations have previously participated in the Aeromedical Evacuation Team (AMET) program, a United Nations (U.N.) requirement for countries contributing to U.N. Peacekeeping Operations Level 2 hospitals. This visit builds upon that foundation, offering practical insights into the U.S. Air Force's aeromedical evacuation procedures.

The event was organized by the USAFE-AFAFRICA Surgeon General's Office in collaboration with the 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, 86th Medical Group, TRANSCOM Patient Movement Requirements Center, and the Defense Institute of Medical Operations (DIMO).

This engagement exemplifies the U.S. military's commitment to strengthening global partnerships and enhancing collective crisis response capabilities. As regional challenges evolve, such collaborations ensure that U.S. forces and their African counterparts are better prepared to address future humanitarian and peacekeeping needs.

The familiarization visit focused on improving the African military health personnel's understanding of aerial patient movement, patient holding in the AE system, and initiation of patient movement through the AE system. This knowledge is crucial for supporting U.N. Peacekeeping Operations and responding to potential future crises.