Students Graduate from Milestone FTU Program

  • Published
  • By Michela Greco
  • 711th Human Performance Wing
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Two decades ago, the Air Mobility Command (AMC) began crafting a standardized design for a Formal Training Unit (FTU) to train members for Aeromedical Evacuation Initial Qualification (AEIQ). The AEIQ course, as envisioned by AMC, encompasses necessary training on communications, logistics, safety, air operations, aircraft systems, and more. As AMC created a curriculum for the program, they began scouting a location. The Air Force planners considered a variety of factors before finally settling upon Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB).

The next step was assembling a cadre to execute the FTU program; AMC hand-selected 32 personnel including both current and former instructors and evaluators from across the Air Force. The cadre has the best and brightest personnel in their respective fields, creating a strong, diverse team with complementary strengths and skills.

When the cadre arrived at WPAFB in July 2012, they were tasked with acquiring vehicles, funding, facilities, and supplies. Through hard work and determination, the cadre crafted a program that was succinct, focused, effective, and aligned with the AMC foundation.

The AEIQ course, co-located at U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, standardized and decreased overall training time. Prior to the FTU activation, home squadron training varied from 90-180 days, but with the AMC AEIQ course the training became a 19-day intensive upgrade. Because the students came together in one common location to train, the FTU cadre was able to decrease training time by 78%, thereby increasing both the efficiency and the standardization of the flight training upgrade program.

Students in the AEIQ course undergo five days of classroom training, two days of offsite ground training, six days in a C-130 simulator, two days for testing and equipment evaluation followed by three days of in-flight evaluations at the end of the program. When the students graduate, they are qualified aircrew members. Most of them enter the program as nurses and medics with no formal training in logistics, communications, aircraft operations or support; this accomplishment speaks to the strength of the FTU cadre and the AMC curriculum.

As time passes, the curriculum will likely evolve to maximize the benefit of the worldwide AE mission. The cadre and AMC are an integral, essential piece of this success and will continue to deliver high-impact capabilities to the 32 AD/AFRC/ANG AE squadrons in the years to come.