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Tri-lateral aeromedical personnel train at COPE NORTH 18

By Staff Sgt. Corey Hook, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs / Published February 22, 2018

(Right) U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. David Francis, 349th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron technician, treats a simulated patient during an aeromedical mission over Rota, U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, during exercise COPE NORTH 18, Feb. 19.
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(Right) U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. David Francis, 349th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron technician, treats a simulated patient during an aeromedical mission over Rota, U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, during exercise COPE NORTH 18, Feb. 19. Approximately 3,000 personnel are participating in COPE NORTH 18, including members of the United States Air Force, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, Koku Jieitai (Japan Air Self Defense Force) and Royal Australian Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Corey Hook)

U.S. Air Force Reserve Airmen receive help from Royal Australian Air Force members with loading simulated patients onto a truck during an aeromedical mission at Saipan, U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, during exercise COPE NORTH 18, Feb. 19.
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U.S. Air Force Reserve Airmen receive help from Royal Australian Air Force members with loading simulated patients onto a truck during an aeromedical mission at Saipan, U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, during exercise COPE NORTH 18, Feb. 19. CN18 is a PACAF-sponsored, 5th Air Force conducted, Joint/Combined Tri-Lateral Field Training Exercise (FTX) designed to develop synergistic Humanitarian Assistance and/or Disaster Relief Operations, and increase interoperability of U.S. Air Forces, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and the Koku Jieitai (Japanese Air Self Defense Force). (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Corey Hook)

(Right) U.S. Air Force Major Catherine Paterson, 439th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, and Captain Betsy Mayes, 349th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron flight nurse, treat a simulated patient during an aeromedical mission over Rota, U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, during exercise COPE NORTH 18, Feb. 19.
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(Right) U.S. Air Force Major Catherine Paterson, 439th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, and Captain Betsy Mayes, 349th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron flight nurse, treat a simulated patient during an aeromedical mission over Rota, U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, during exercise COPE NORTH 18, Feb. 19. CN18 is a PACAF-sponsored, 5th Air Force conducted, Joint/Combined Tri-Lateral Field Training Exercise (FTX) designed to develop synergistic Humanitarian Assistance and/or Disaster Relief Operations, and increase interoperability of U.S. Air Forces, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and the Koku Jieitai (Japanese Air Self Defense Force). (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Corey Hook)

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Tara Bryant, 349th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron technician, communicates with her crew during an aeromedical mission at Saipan, U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, during exercise COPE NORTH 18, Feb. 19.
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U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Tara Bryant, 349th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron technician, communicates with her crew during an aeromedical mission at Saipan, U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, during exercise COPE NORTH 18, Feb. 19. Approximately 3,000 personnel are participating in COPE NORTH 18, including members of the United States Air Force, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, Koku Jieitai (Japan Air Self Defense Force) and Royal Australian Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Corey Hook)

(Left) U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Ryan McClellan, 36th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron technician, and Staff Sgt. David Francis, 349th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron technician, configure the inside of a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules for an aeromedical mission at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, during exercise COPE NORTH 18, Feb. 19.
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(Left) U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Ryan McClellan, 36th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron technician, and Staff Sgt. David Francis, 349th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron technician, configure the inside of a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules for an aeromedical mission at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, during exercise COPE NORTH 18, Feb. 19. Approximately 3,000 personnel are participating in COPE NORTH 18, including members of the United States Air Force, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, Koku Jieitai (Japan Air Self Defense Force) and Royal Australian Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Corey Hook)

U.S. Air Force Major Catherine Paterson, 439th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron medical crew director, talks on a communication system during an aeromedical mission at Tinian, U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, during exercise COPE NORTH 18, Feb. 19.
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U.S. Air Force Major Catherine Paterson, 439th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron medical crew director, talks on a communication system during an aeromedical mission at Tinian, U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, during exercise COPE NORTH 18, Feb. 19. Approximately 3,000 personnel are participating in COPE NORTH 18, including members of the United States Air Force, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, Koku Jieitai (Japan Air Self Defense Force) and Royal Australian Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Corey Hook)

Simulated patients are escorted onto a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules by U.S. Air Force Reserve Airmen during an aeromedical mission at Tinian, U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in participation with exercise COPE NORTH 18, Feb. 19.
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Simulated patients are escorted onto a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules by U.S. Air Force Reserve Airmen during an aeromedical mission at Tinian, U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in participation with exercise COPE NORTH 18, Feb. 19. CN18 is a PACAF-sponsored, 5th Air Force conducted, Joint/Combined Tri-Lateral Field Training Exercise (FTX) designed to develop synergistic Humanitarian Assistance and/or Disaster Relief Operations, and increase interoperability of U.S. Air Forces, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and the Japanese Air Self Defense Force (JASDF). (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Corey Hook)

U.S. Air Force Captain Betsy Mayes, 349th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron flight nurse, treats a simulated patient during an aeromedical mission at Tinian, U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, during exercise COPE NORTH 18, Feb. 19.
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U.S. Air Force Captain Betsy Mayes, 349th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron flight nurse, treats a simulated patient during an aeromedical mission at Tinian, U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, during exercise COPE NORTH 18, Feb. 19. Approximately 3,000 personnel are participating in COPE NORTH 18, including members of the United States Air Force, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, Koku Jieitai (Japan Air Self Defense Force) and Royal Australian Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Corey Hook)

A U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules flies over Tinian, U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, during an aeromedical evacuation mission during exercise COPE NORTH 18, Feb. 19.
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A U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules flies over Tinian, U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, during an aeromedical evacuation mission during exercise COPE NORTH 18, Feb. 19. CN18 is a PACAF-sponsored, 5th Air Force conducted, Joint/Combined Tri-Lateral Field Training Exercise (FTX) designed to develop synergistic Humanitarian Assistance and/or Disaster Relief Operations, and increase interoperability of U.S. Air Forces, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and the Koku Jieitai (Japanese Air Self Defense Force). (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Corey Hook)

U.S. Air Force Reserve Airmen arrive for an aeromedical mission at the Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, flightline during exercise COPE NORTH 18 (CN18), Feb. 19.
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U.S. Air Force Reserve Airmen arrive for an aeromedical mission at the Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, flightline during exercise COPE NORTH 18 (CN18), Feb. 19. CN18 is a Pacific Air Forces sponsored tri-lateral field training exercise (FTX) designed to develop synergistic and increase interoperability of U.S. Air Forces, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and the Koku Jieitai (Japanese Air Self Defense Force).(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Corey Hook)

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Ryan McClellan, 36th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron technician, boards a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules during an aeromedical mission at Rota, U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, during exercise COPE NORTH 18, Feb. 19.
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U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Ryan McClellan, 36th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron technician, boards a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules during an aeromedical mission at Rota, U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, during exercise COPE NORTH 18, Feb. 19. CN18 is a PACAF-sponsored, 5th Air Force conducted, Joint/Combined Tri-Lateral Field Training Exercise (FTX) designed to develop synergistic Humanitarian Assistance and/or Disaster Relief Operations, and increase interoperability of U.S. Air Forces, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and the Koku Jieitai (Japanese Air Self Defense Force). (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Corey Hook)

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ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --

Personnel from multiple nations conducted aeromedical missions during the Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief (HA/DR) portion of exercise COPE NORTH 18 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, and the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Feb. 19, 2018.

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and USAF Reserve worked alongside Royal Australian Air Force and Koku Jieitai (Japan Air Self-Defense Force) service members to increase interoperability and capacity of medical care during the aftermath of natural disasters and humanitarian crises in the Indo-Pacific region.

During the 5-day HA/DR training event, the three nations conducted approximately 12 aeromedical evacuation training missions and treated around 120 simulated patients.

“The greatest value of working with coalition forces during exercise COPE NORTH is that we learn how each other operate on aeromedical missions,” said Squadron Leader Matt Luther, Royal Australian Air Force military transport team flight nurse. “The patient and the care we provide remains the same, but the set-ups we do and the systems and equipment we use are different. It’s about understanding those nuances in providing aeromedical services because at the end of the day it’s still about taking care of the patient.”

The first day of the HA/DR response included a major earthquake and water contamination scenario, allowing participating nations to work together to prepare for and recover from the devastating effects of natural disasters.

“The experience of working with our allies has been amazing,” said Master Sgt. Tara Bryant, 349th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron technician. Some things they do mirror us and some things don’t, but the big picture remains the same. All of it has been a great learning experience and improves us all tremendously.”

Approximately 3,000 personnel and 100 aircraft are participating in COPE NORTH 18, including members of the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, Koku Jieitai (Japan Air Self Defense Force) and Royal Australian Air Force. COPE NORTH is an annual tri-lateral training exercise focused on improving combat readiness, developing synergistic HA/DR response and increasing interoperability between participants.


Tagaeromedical TagAeromedical Evacuation; TagCOPE NORTH 18 TagHA/DR TagJASDF Tagkoku jieitai TagNorthern Mariana Islands TagRoyal Australian air force