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RAF Odiham Supports Capital Air Ambulance Urgent Patient Transfer From Channel Islands

RAF Odiham airfield is on standby ready to support Capital Air Ambulance at a moment’s notice maintaining the medical bridge for urgent patient transfers from the Channel Islands to mainland UK as part of an ongoing request for Military Aid to Civil Authorities (MACA).

Capital’s King Air aircraft lands at RAF Odiham airfield and is met by a road ambulance to transfer the patients to University Hospital Southampton (UHS) for critical care.

The use of RAF Odiham is as an assured alternate airfield for use by Capital Air Ambulance who provide aeromedical evacuation services for the Channel Islands.

The MACA request was submitted by the Governments of Jersey and Guernsey to use RAF Odiham as the secondary airfield to Southampton Airport for medical evacuation movements.

Capital Air Ambulance Lands at RAF Odiham
Capital Air Ambulance lands at RAF Odiham for urgent patient transfer

Southampton Airport (SOU) is operating a limited schedule due to the contraction of air travel due to COVID-19 and therefore, any urgent aeromedical evacuations outside of the SOU opening times requires a suitable airfield near to Southampton Hospital.

RAF Odiham has held 24/7 standby for urgent OOH transfers of patients from the Channel Islands since the beginning of COVID restrictions. The Station provides operational and technical support to the movement facilitating the transfer of the patients from the aircraft to land ambulance.

Whilst this is a simple task for RAF Odiham, the assurance of having a 24/7 landing location on mainland UK gives significant reassurance to the Governments and people of the Channel Islands. 

RAF Odiham’s assistance to the Channel Islands is part of the MOD’s wider support to the Government’s response to COVID-19.

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