Eielson Airmen assist during crucial time

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachelle Coleman
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Eielson Airmen came together to assist in a time crucial mission that Alaska's harsh climate threatened to severely delay, if not stop, even though it's something they normally would not have a part in Jan. 4th.

During the winter months it is not uncommon for Alaska to have ice fog and Jan. 4th was one of those days. With visibility too low for its scheduled landing at Fairbanks International Airport, a medevac plane was diverted to Eielson with the permission of Brig. Gen. Mark Graper, 354th Fighter Wing commander.

Once permission was granted Eielson Airmen sprung into action.

Senior Airman Christopher Valiante, 354th Civil Engineering Squadron driver/operator, alerted Staff Sgt. Michelle Graves, and Senior Airman Heidi Weaver, 354th Medical Support Squadron aeromedical technicians, that an aircraft was landing on Eielson with a neonate incubator, needed for a premature newborn, and organ donor tissue. They were also informed that a civilian ambulance from Fairbanks would be picking up the aircraft's medical team and vital cargo and would then take them to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital.

At the same time, Senior Airman Tracy Tibbits, 354th Operations Supports Squadron Airfield Management shift leader, was called by Tech. Sgt. Dale Wilson, 354th Operations Supports Squadron NCOIC of Airfield Management Operations, and was informed that he needed to open the flightline fully in one hour.

"We were the only airfield capable to land the plane safely," said Airman Tibbits. "Because of the ice fog, we had the best visibility out of the three airfields in the vicinity of Fairbanks."

Airman Tibbits was responsible for coordinating with six different wing agencies, making sure that every agency was aware and prepared to handle the situation if needed. 

"Opening up an airfield in minimal time is a daunting task," said Sergeant Wilson. "There are two-and-a-half miles of runway and connecting taxiways to inspect and very little time. Add in the cold, ice and darkness-- it makes it even tougher. Airman Tibbits can be counted on to achieve that task any time. It's great to have a member of his caliber on the OSS team."

While the OSS was doing their part other Eielson Airmen were doing theirs.

After receiving additional information, Airman Valiante called back the aeromedical technicians, informed them that the FMH ambulance was having mechanical trouble and would not be able to pick up the medevac personnel. He let them know that per General Graper and Col. Howard Hayes, 354th Fighter Wing Medical Group Commander, Eielson's primary ambulance was authorized to respond.

"Senior Airman Weaver and I were quite excited," said Sergeant Graves, "as this is not an everyday occurrence, and would be a great learning experience."

Once the Lear jet landed at Eielson, the three LifeMed Alaska members, a respiratory care practitioner and two flight nurses, transferred the human tissue and incubator to Eielson's ambulance which was driven by Airman Weaver to FMH. Once at FMH the LifeMed team stabilized the newborn for transport to the plane.

Although the weather was still not ideal, visibility had cleared enough for the LifeMed plane to land at Fairbanks International Airport where Airman Weaver and Sergeant Graves assisted the LifeMed team unload the newborn in the incubator into the aircraft. 

"Senior Airman Weaver and I learned a great deal from the LifeMed team," said Sergeant Graves, "it was the first time either of us had responded to a call like this. The LifeMed team was amazing to watch, and they taught us a great deal." 
 
The LifeMed team does not only consist of the people who were on the aircraft, it also consists of others like David Craft, a communications specialist with LifeMed Alaska, who was the person tasked with finding a place the plane could land and coordinated with base agencies to open the flightline. He conveyed how impressed he was with the support Eielson provided. 

"They did an outstanding job and made the mission possible," said Mr. Craft. "Without their help, it would not have been possible to pick up our patient and provide the  necessary care."