910th OG supports aeromedical training mission Published Aug. 20, 2012 By Staff Sgt. Megan Tomkins 910AW/PA WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. -- The 910th Operations Group supported the 439th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (AES) during a quarterly readiness mission Aug. 10-12, here. Lt. Col. Thomas Chafe, 439th AES medical crew director and flight instructor, said it was a routine training mission and is required of all those who are part of the squadron. "We are required to fly every 90 days to stay current," Chafe said. "It is important for our readiness requirements and is one of our wartime taskings. We need to stay ready and prepared for the next [Air Expeditionary Force] cycles." During the flight the aeromedical evacuation crew is tasked to simulate in-flight emergencies they would encounter in a deployed environment. "We run medical training scenarios in flight that simulate wartime readiness and aircraft emergencies," said Chafe. "We go through our checklists as each scenario is played out." Although the 439th AES are certified to fly on the C-130, C-17 and the KC-135, Chafe said he enjoys getting the opportunity to work with the 910th on the C-130H Hercules. "The 910th is one of our frequent 130 units that support us," said Chafe. "They make it very easy for us to train and understand our mission and training events. They really know how important our training is because they have been on deployments with these scenarios." Capt. Brian Hodor, 757th Airlift Squadron aircraft commander, said he enjoys working with the Westover team and that working with other missions gives the 910th Operations Group the opportunity to train as well. "The 910th supports several missions in the Department of Defense including the aeromedical mission at Westover," said Hodor. "It is important for servicemembers from different units to work together so we can have a more unified Air Force and military."