Aeromedical Evacuation Course

The Canadian Forces (CF) Aeromedical Evacuation (AE) course prepares qualified medical personnel to perform the duties and responsibilities of an Aeromedical Evacuation Crew Member (AECM) during peacetime/conflict operations and national/international emergencies. These duties/responsibilities will be performed onboard fixed wing aircraft during strategic and tactical AE missions.

Training is divided into three main blocks: General AE Knowledge; Strategic AE; and Tactical AE. The content and study materials on the Aeromedical Evacuation Course are entirely unclassified in nature. Human Performance in Military Aviation will be emphasized during training and perform the duties and responsibilities of a Medical Crew Director and Team Member. Crew Members will maintain, secure, operate and troubleshoot medical equipment used onboard CF AE platforms including: intravenous infusion pump; patient oxygen systems; patient comfort devices; patient physiologic monitoring devices; patient restraints; chest tube drainage system; cardiac monitor and defibrillator; hand-held resuscitator; and suction devices. They will learn to plan and provide care from originating to destination medical facility, to compensate for the stresses of the flight environment and to manage in-flight medical complications. They will use various AE configurations on the CC-150 Polaris (Airbus A-310) and CC-130 Hercules H model. They will practice with the Spectrum beds on the CC-150, as well as configure the CC-130 for floor and tier loading. They will utilize the aircraft systems including oxygen, communications and electrical systems. In addition, they will respond to aircraft emergencies using the respective aircraft life support equipment. They will perform their duties and responsibilities during all phases of a Tactical AE mission including embarking and deplaning of casualties using both floor and tier loading methods. CC-130 simulated missions in the Cargo Compartment Trainer and during Engine Running Operations are scheduled for this portion of the course. Simulated patients and missions will be used for training.

The Aeromedical Evacuation Courses is normally run with a maximum of 10 students per course. Candidates can be Officers and/or Non-Commissioned Members.

International students must be equivalent to one of the following Canadian Forces military occupations:

• Medical Officer
• Nursing Officer
• Physician Assistant or
• Medical Technician.

International students must be able to read, comprehend, verbally communicate and receive instructions in English. International students must be medically and dentally fit for aircrew employment in accordance with the standards of their own Air Forces. They must have attended aeromedical physiology training in Canada or their own country. International students are expected to arrive on course with seasonally appropriate flying clothing, military identification, military identity disks (dog tags), travel visa and a valid passport.

426 Transport Training Squadron has the capacity to run two AE courses per year and compromised of approximately 32 training days extending over six calendar weeks plus two days.

The AE course is conducted at 8 Wing/Canadian Forces Base Trenton located on the shores of Lake Ontario. Visit the link at www.cfbtrenton.com for information about the Base, and www.city.quintewest.on.ca for surrounding area information.