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TOPIC AREA: COMMAND, CONTROL, COMMUNICATION (C3)
 
SUBMITTED BY: HQ AFRES/SGXO 
 
ISSUE: The aeromedical evacuation chain of command was not followed. 
 
OBSERVATION: Air Force level regulations were either not understood or not followed by MTF commanders who attempted to 
take command of aeromedical evacuation elements assigned to their base. 
 
DISCUSSION: The aeromedical evacuation system has a formalized chain of command. The commander of the AECEs were 
frequently informed by host MTF commander that the AECEs, because they are a medical unit, worked for them. At some locations 
the host MTF commander delegated this to the ASF commander. The only theory under which a host base MTF commander would 
assume that aeromedical evacuation units assigned to the base worked for them is in their role as a Director of Base Medical Services 
(DBMS). However, AFR 168-4, paragraph 3-2 clearly excludes elements of the aeromedical evacuation from the management of t-he 
DBMS. 
 
IMPACT: Created much confusion over who was in charge, as well as disrupting the chain of command. Also created a noticeable 
decrease in mission efficiency. 
 
RECOMMENDATION: Immediately after activation of an aeromedical evacuation element it must be emphasized to each DBMS 
that aeromedical evacuation units have their own fixed chain of command. - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
, 
 
 
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