US Air Force holds China war drill rehearsing evacuation of thousands from Pacific
- US and six allies, including Australia and Japan, hold simulation of aeromedical operations under limited bandwidth and internet connectivity
- During two-week drill, forces use C-130 Hercules cargo plane to move patients and test deployment of modular medical teams
The US Air Force practised evacuating thousands of casualties from the Pacific in a drill last month seen as a direct response to the threat of a conflict with China.
The exercise “highlighted the efficient and seamless integration” of aeromedical operations in a networking environment marked by limited bandwidth and internet connectivity “using existing theatre airflow”, the command said.
During the drill, the US Air Force enlisted a C-130 Hercules cargo plane to move 48 patients on six missions, and tested the deployment of smaller, modular medical teams.
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It also applied a newly developed evacuation guideline reorganising medical personnel into smaller crews equipped with large backpacks of supplies and travelling with airlift squadrons. The crews were expected to make on-the-spot decisions to prioritise treatment based on likelihood of survival.
“MG23 served as a critical platform to showcase the adaptability and proficiency of the joint force aeromedical evacuation teams in operating within challenging and dynamic environments,” the command said.
