JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va -- Air Combat Command Airmen developed, sourced and delivered a 100-bed contingency hospital, medical supplies and equipment to Türkiye to support relief efforts following a earthquake that occurred Feb.5.
Airmen from across ACC deployed to Türkiye to set up the hospital and equipment and teach local personnel how to it.
“This hospital configuration was new, developed specifically for this mission,” said Lee Mcguire, Deputy Branch Chief, for Air Combat Command Current Operations and Global Force Management Branch. “We were able to tailor it together by pulling equipment from four consolidated storage and deployment centers which enabled us the ability to ensure that we [quickly] met the needs of the Türkish Government.”
ACC personnel coordinated transport for the Expeditionary Medical Support facility units, which amounted to 72 pallets and required 31 personnel to accompany them.
ACC personnel arrived in Türkiye on Feb. 21 built the facility in partnership with other service members, of the EMEDS, in less than ten days.
The hospital delivered to the Türkish government included two operating rooms, an intensive care unit and medical supplies. ACC personnel included providers, nurses and other subject matter experts who helped with the familiarization of the requested equipment and facilities.
“The Air Force is the service of choice when it comes to executing these types of missions, because we're able to be so responsive and because we have the lightest leanest footprint in executing our mission in comparison to the other services,” said Mcguire. “This humanitarian assistance disaster response mission validates our training and validates the capability of the Air Force, medical service and ACC.”