MacDill deploys MASF in support of Ike

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Robert Maki
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
A Mobile Aeromedical Staging Facility team from the 6th Air Mobility Wing stationed at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida arrived here yesterday in support of Hurricane Ike evacuation efforts. 

Along with the MASF team, more than 200 state and federal assets and volunteers converged on Corpus Christi ahead of Ike in order to coordinate, manage and safely transport patients from the surrounding area to points of definitive care. The staging facility is outfitted with more than $750,000 in medical supplies and equipment to handle up to 600 patients with minimal to intensive care needs. 

Director of operations for the MASF team, 1st Lt. Jason Estes stated the MASF team had come a long way since arrival and felt confident about the team's capabilities in handling the situation. Once on site, the aeromedical staging facility was fully operational and ready to receive patients within 2-hours. The mission of the MASF team is to receive patients from any type of situation and prepare them for flight. 

"We are feeling pretty confident, said Lieutenant Estes. "We have a good squad and good support here with the guard and reserve, a lot of good people on the ground." 

He went on to say that all the teams embedded in the staging facility worked well together to organize and prepare to process patients. 

"I think that we have had enough time together to know the strengths and weaknesses of each member to back each other up," said Staff Sgt. Jennifer Corbin, MASF team administrative clerk. "I have faith in us. We have a great team out here." 

Maj. Scott Russell, operations officer for the 142nd Aeromedical squadron Delaware National Guard stated, "We're taking every opportunity to ensure patient safety and comfort." 

The staging facility is on high alert to evacuate at a moment's notice but it is unclear whether the teams will fall back or wait out the hurricane at their current location. 

A 13-member MASF team deployed to Beaumont, Texas earlier this month in support of hurricane Gustav. This marked a landmark moment for AMC when the first real world operation for the MASF was activated in support of Hurricane Gustav after the mission was transitioned to active duty Airmen from Reserve in 2007.