Issue 14 - March 2010

A UK Royal Air Force (RAF) Chinook pilot who was airlifting patients from a battle in Helmand Province was shot between the eyes – but continued to fly his helicopter out of the combat zone and to safety, saving the lives of everyone onboard the aircraft.

Scotland’s Emergency Medical Retrieval Service flying doctor service is to be extended through remote and rural Scotland, following a successful pilot in the west of the country, which saw emergency medicine consultants sent out on air missions with the Scottish Ambulance Service.

The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) and QinetiQ have revealed the existence of a programme to train Afghan helicopter pilots in the UK.

Master Sgt Anja O’Neil, avionics technician with the 129^th Rescue Wing has been selected to serve as the first sergeant for the 129^th Maintenance Squadron, after graduating from First Sergeant Academy at Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, Alabama, US in November 2009.

California Shock Trauma Air Rescue (CALSTAR), a US nonprofit helicopter air ambulance service provider, has announced that a change of leadership is planned for 1 April 2010.