From 5 to 8 May, at the 3rd Wing in Villafranca, the module took place Elective Educational Activity (A.D.E.) dedicated to the use of healthcare capacities in National Operations and Operations Outside National Borders (OONB), provided for by the Curriculum of the’Air Force Academy of Pozzuoli for the student officers of the Regular Role of the Italian Air Force Health Corps.
Seven are the attendees who took part in the training activity, which combined theoretical content and practical applications focused on operational projection health capabilities. The module is part of the specific pathway dedicated to teaching the Military Air Force Medical Service, developed in synergy between the Air Force Academy and the Office of the Head of the Italian Air Force Medical Service, with the aim of providing skills applicable in national and international contexts.
During the four days of the course, the medical staff of the 3st Wing's Station Infirmary, under the direction of Colonel Paolo Marcatili, presented the main organisational and functional characteristics of the field medical assets of type “Role”, provided for by legal doctrine NATO. The module explored the procedures for activating and deploying mobile healthcare facilities, from basic levels up to the capabilities of advanced health support, with reference to both clinical aspects and logistical management in operational contexts. The learners had the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the electromedical equipment used in field modules, the operational procedures of the’tactical ambulance and health management procedures in emergency situations. During the practical phase, response capabilities to situations of health emergency, simulating, thanks to Virtual Reality, interventions for the management of haemorrhagic events or health aspects related to CBRN defence Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear.
As part of the course, the opportunity was also offered to view some of the main assets currently being acquired by the 3rd Wing, including the Point of entry medical, designed for the immediate management of patients suffering from serious infectious diseases upon entry into the national territory, and the Generator Module of Medical oxygen, an autonomous oxygen production system, useful for ensuring healthcare continuity in environments lacking logistical support. Particular attention has been paid to the Role 1 modular, the configuration and use aspects of which have been examined in depth. This module represents the first healthcare response in theatre of operations, destined for triage, to the stabilisation of the patient and the preparation for evacuation to higher-level healthcare facilities. Designed to be rapidly deployable and adaptable, the Role 1 it constitutes the first level of the healthcare chain in military contexts. The availability of these systems, scheduled for September, will further increase the 3rd Wing's ability to provide effective and continuous medical support even in complex and prolonged operational scenarios.
Under the responsibility of Support Services del Logistics Command of the Air Force, the 3rd Wing is the Armed Force's unit that provides “air projection logistics capabilities” (Expeditionary & Deployable) for the components of Combat Support e Combat Service Support of the Air Expeditionary Task Force (AETF), through the use of technologies and resources of a so-called “dual-use” nature, since such capabilities can be employed for both military purposes and civil needs, which are useful for the national community in the event of major events and disasters.
