NEWS
721 APS maintains flight excellence during COVID-19, Page 6
FEATURE
86 OSS: Always at our best, train for the worst, Page 8
January 8, 2021 | Volume 45, Number 1
FEATURE
Airman enhances care through innovation, Page 11
FEATURE
A year of dynamic airpower with USAFE-AFAFRICA, Pages 16-17
LIFESTYLE
Can’t-miss German day trips A-Z: Ulm, Page 26
Read the KA online at KaiserslauternAmerican.com
Airmen receive initial COVID-19 vaccine
U.S. Air Force Col. (Dr.) Ryan Mihata, 86th Medical Group commander, receives his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at Ramstein Air Base, Jan. 4. Initial quantities of the vaccine are limited to first responders and medical personnel. Vaccines will be distributed on a rolling delivery basis as more become available.
Story and photos by Senior Airman Jennifer Gonzales 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs First responders and select medical personnel received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine Jan. 4 at Ramstein’s Southside Fitness Center Annex. After a long and daunting year, the initial shipment of COVID-19 vaccines mark what infectious disease experts predict will be a turning point in the pandemic. Medical logistics Airmen worked late into the evening Dec. 30 transporting vaccines to a coldstorage facility. Initial quantities are limited and will be distributed on a rolling delivery basis as more vaccines become available. In accordance with Department of Defense guidelines, Ramstein’s vaccine distribution is following a phased approach, with initial doses offered to Airmen operating on the frontlines of the pandemic. Although the vaccine is currently not mandatory, it is an important See COVID-19 VACCINE, Page 3
Always Ready: 86 AES executes NPC-L training mission Story and photos by Senior Airman John R. Wright 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs The 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron held a COVID-19 patient movement training using the Negatively Pressurized Conex-Lite at Ramstein Air Base, Dec. 14-18, 2020. The week-long training ended with a proof of concept flight on a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, solidifying the entire process of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa COVID-19 patient
transfer capabilities for the 86th Airlift Wing. “It was the first time an NPC-L has taken off, at least in U.S. European Command, having a training mission on it, all the assets, and coordinating the integration from the ground piece to the in-flight piece,” said Capt. JD Pilger, 86th AES training flight commander. “Previously everything was done on the ground, so this is a big deal. The capstone for the week was getting this thing See ALWAYS READY, Page 5
U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron carry medical equipment to a C-130J Super Hercules at Ramstein Air Base, Dec. 15, 2020. The 86th AES held a COVID-19 patient movement training using the Negatively Pressurized Conex-Lite.
