The Commander of the Joint Operations Command visits the Air and Space Force’s Airborne Medical Evacuation Unit

• The event highlighted the high level of expertise, dedication and commitment of the unit’s staff

The Commander of the Joint Operations Command (CMOPS), Lieutenant General José Antonio Agüero Martínez, visited the Medical Air and Space Evacuation Unit (UMAER).

Over the course of the visit, the head of the UMAER, Lieutenant Colonel (Medical) Pilar Salvador Sánchez, focused on demonstrating the unit’s capabilities, missions and level of readiness. She outlined the unit’s history and mission, as well as some of the evacuations it has carried out.

The Lieutenant Colonel emphasised that the Spanish Armed Forces’ air medical evacuation service is at the forefront in Europe, in terms of both capabilities and flexibility and efficiency. “To carry out this important and demanding work, I have a team of 25 people who stand out for their commitment and expertise.”

The unit’s personnel also briefed the CMOPS on the operation of the on-board medical teams and the level of training and instruction, which ensure a rapid, coordinated and effective response to any need for medical evacuation by air.

The visit highlighted the high level of qualification, availability and commitment of the UMAER personnel, whose mission is crucial to ensuring the continuity of care for military personnel deployed on operations. Since the unit was established in 2003, it has transported more than 3,600 people in over 450 evacuations.

At the end of the visit, the CMOPS, who was accompanied by the Support General of the Joint Operations Command, Brigadier General Miguel Ángel Sáez Nievas, and staff from the Joint Medical Section (JMED) of the MOPS, highlighted the value and significance that this capability brings to the operational structure of the Armed Forces.