Medical Reservists from the UK and US descended onto RAF Brize Norton early October 2018, to take part in Exercise Reserve Steel, a week-long Aeromedical Evacuation (AE) training programme.
The joint exercise was developed, led and coordinated by No. 612 (County of Aberdeen) Squadron, RAuxAF, based at Leuchars Station and 911th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (AES), a United States Air Force (USAF) Medical Reserve Squadron based in Pittsburgh.
RAF Medical Reservists from No. 4626 (County of Wiltshire) Aeromedical Squadron, RAuxAF, and No. 502 (Ulster) Squadron, RAuxAF, also participated and were accompanied by RAF Medical Services (RAFMS) personnel from Tactical Medical Wing (TMW). Other US AE Squadrons who sent contingents included 932 AES, 315 AES, 914 AES as well as observers from US Air Force Reserves Command.
The aim of the exercise was to enhance the knowledge and skill base of the UK and US Medical Reserve personnel who are involved in AE tasks. Throughout the week, staff undertook various AE missions and simulations to build international relationships between the exercising units, and identify opportunities for future interoperability between the UK and US on AE tasks.
“Exercise Reserve Steel is the culmination of 12 months of hard work and planning from 612 Squadron and 911 Squadron staff. The close working relationships our two squadrons have built over the last two years, led to the idea of this joint exercise. It is designed to help us understand how we both operate in an AE environment, how our practices differ, how our equipment differs, and how we can learn from each other. This is fundamentally all aimed at improving the experience of our patients. Our US colleagues in 911 Squadron also provided the full use of an aeromedical roled C17 aircraft, thus making the exercise very realistic and a huge success.”
Wing Commander Mark Colligan
Officer Commanding 612 (County of Aberdeen) Squadron, RAuxAF
and Exercise Director
Reserve Steel is the first of a series of exercises in the long term, forged out of the relationship built in the last two years between No. 612 Squadron and 911 AES. Undergoing this type of training regularly is vital for improving the patient care pathway, ensuring the patient receives the best clinical care throughout their journey.
“The RAF Medical Reserves have had a long-established relationship with our American counterparts through combined training and exercise activity, also in operations in Afghanistan. Exercise Reserve Steel has been invaluable in reenergising and reinforcing this relationship and in maintaining mutual understanding of each other’s capabilities and training programmes. 4626 and 612, with the medical flights of 502 and 600 Squadrons, will look to provide up to 328 medical reservist personnel to support the RAFMS contribution to operations. Reserve Steel served to assure our people are fit for their role. It has been a privilege to support and facilitate this exercise here at RAF Brize Norton.”
Wing Commander Graham Banks MBE
Officer Commanding 4626 (County of Wiltshire) Aeromedical Squadron, RAuxAF