Bagram Aeromedical Evac Team Christens New Improved Home

Medical supplies and equipment hang ready in a new facility for the 455th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron on Bagram Airfield. The new facility will enable medical technicians and flight nurses to respond faster and more efficiently to patient care and transport on Bagram's flightline. (U.S. Air Force photo/SSgt Neal Uranga)

Bagram Aeromedical Evac Team Christens New Improved Home

A U.S. Air Force Captain with the 455th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron stands in formation during the ribbon ceremony of the new 455 EAES facility. The new facility will enable medical technicians and flight nurses to respond faster and work more efficiently when providing medical care to wounded servicemembers. (U.S. Air Force photo/SSgt Neal Uranga)

Bagram Aeromedical Evac Team Christens New Improved Home

Lt. Col. Carla Marcinek, 455th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron commander, gives remarks thanking the various units that helped build the new unit facility during the ribbon cutting ceremony of the new aeromedical evacuation facility. The new facility will enable medical technicians and flight nurses to respond faster and work more efficiently when providing medical care to wounded servicemembers. (U.S. Air Force photo/SSgt Neal Uranga)

Bagram Aeromedical Evac Team Christens New Improved Home

Brig. Gen. Joseph Guastella, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Commander, and Lt. Col. Carla Marcinek, 455th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron Commander, prepare to cut the ribbon to open the new 455 EAES building. The new facility will enable the unit to provide better patient care to wounded servicemembers. (U.S. Air Force photo/SSgt Neal Uranga)

Bagram Aeromedical Evac Team Christens New Improved Home

Brig. Gen. Joseph Guastella, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Commander, pauses during a tour of the new 455th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron facility with Lt. Col. Carla Marcinek, 455 EAES Commander. Gen. Guastella learned first-hand how the new building will increase the unit capacity for patient care. (U.S. Air Force photo/SSgt Neal Uranga)

Bagram Aeromedical Evac Team Christens New Improved Home

Published Oct. 8, 2012
By Capt. Raymond Geoffroy
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN -- In battlefield medicine, the difference between life and death can be measured in seconds. Medical crews from the 455th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron face this challenge daily while transporting wounded warriors from the field to higher medical care.

Fortunately, the 455th EAES has a new facility at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, to better serve them in their race against time.

Wing leadership christened the new 455th EAES building during an impromptu ceremony at Oct. 6, 2012.

"The new facility is right on the ramp, closer to the aircraft and closer to the Contingency Aero Medical Staging Facility," said Lt. Col. Carla Marcinek, 455th EAES commander. "This means we can work more efficiently, we can respond faster and ultimately that translates to better patient care for our wounded."

In addition to its improved location, the new building is larger and more capable than its predecessor.

"This new facility is twice as large as the previous one. And now we're able to accommodate med crews from Kandahar or other locations if they need to stop through here. It's just amazing what our Civil Engineers have built for us," Marcinek said.

Engineers with the 457th Expeditionary Red Horse Squadron performed the design and construction of the new facility working closely with the 455th Expeditionary Civil Engineering Squadron.

"This Aeromedical facility is indicative of the types of facilities we want to build on Bagram. It is a modern facility manufactured from cost effective materials and methods utilizing Red Horse troop labor to minimize cost to the American tax payer." said Lt. Col. James Heuring, 455th ECES commander.

Airmen who helped with the construction said they take pride in helping their fellow Airmen assist wounded coalition troops.

"It's a good feeling, knowing that if something happens off base and our teammates get hurt, that we've enabled these guys to work at their peak," said SSgt Sergio Carpio, a technician from the 455th Communication Squadron who oversaw the wiring and calibrating radio equipment in the new facility.

"It's an indescribable feeling to know I've had a hand in that," he said.