A 16-month-old burn victim recently needed to be transported to Travis Air Force Base in California from the U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka in Japan. The problem was that the child was too large for VERIFY, the traditional medical transport system used by the Air Force, and too small for a regular hospital bed, according to the Air Force Medical Service.
The 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan worked with the Navy to outfit a C-17 Globemaster III with a “Giraffe” system for the very first time.
“The child was too large for all of our normal equipment,” said 1st Lt. Kristen Hawkins, 18th AES staff duty officer. “The ‘Giraffe’ is large enough, but it’s usually used in hospitals, not aircraft.”
The “Giraffe” system is found in neo-natal intensive care units and, up until May 13, had never been used on a C-17. So, in order to pull this off, detailed coordination and planning was needed throughout all units.
“One thing I feel is important to mention is the whole team approach,” Lt. Col. Leslie Wood told the Air Force Medical Service. Wood is the 18th Aerospace Evacuation Squadron chief of west Pacific Air Force critical care air transport team. “Not only do we have multiple units coming together, but multiple services. We wouldn’t have been able to get this piece of equipment if the United States Naval Hospital hadn’t been willing to release it to us.”
Sailors, airmen work together to save a child’s life
