94th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron wins Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Stan Coleman
  • Public Affairs
The 94th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron was selected for the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for 2005 -- an award of excellence for excellence of service. 

The 94th AES mission involves the deployment of eight aeromedical evacuation crews, trained and equipped to provide in-flight medical care on mission-directed aircraft configured for patient movement. 

The 94th AES is also capable of deploying an aeromedical evacuation operations team to provide operational and mission support at locations supporting AE operations. The AE operations team oversees the scheduling of air crews and transportation of patients. 

“Five-man crews consisting of two flight nurses and three medical technicians perform the patient aeromedical mission,” said Col. Evelyn Byars, 94th AES commander. “Other support personnel include health service officers, supply technicians, administrative technicians, training managers, a first sergeant and squadron aviation resource managers.” 

Unit accomplishments include the display of “exceptional mission readiness capability with a high degree of teamwork deployments in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism.” 

“We adopted and committed ourselves to a vision of what we wanted to be,” said Colonel Byars. “Each member is actively engaged in observing and demanding adherence to our roots — the Air Force Core Values. We reorganized and aligned squadron functions to meet aeromedical evacuation’s transitioning mission. We recruited pipeline students, senior NCOs and officers, to enhance our roles and performance capabilities. And we mentored, nurtured, trained extensively and provided recognition for each other.” 

The 94th AES utilized team activities to build and foster esprit de corps. According to Colonel Byars, the challenging aspect of the career field is the demand of more than one weekend per month and two weeks per year participation. “Our ground support staff’s participation is equally as demanding,” she said. 

“A unit is never great by itself,” said the colonel. “The command support and guidance of the 94th Airlift Wing and 22nd Air Force AE gave us a platform to meet and exceed our Air Force mission. The support of the 700th Airlift Squadron pilots, the life support team, the tent training provided by civil engineering, and the support of retired Col. Lee Hutchinson, the former 94th Operations Group commander contributed to our success.