The 347th Rescue Wing based at Moody AFB, Ga., has saved 122 people in Afghanistan since June 1. The total includes 66 people with “potentially fatal injuries” and 56 people with “critical injuries,” according to an Air Combat Command release. The airmen of the 347th RQW deployed to Southwest Asia are performing one of USAF’s latest “in lieu of” missions—conducting medical evacuation from the point of injury to theater medical facilities—normally handled by the Army. “We support the Army, Marines and Navy. … We support anyone who gets injured in theater, including coalition members in the Afghan Army, Iraqi Army and civilians,” said Col. Eric Kivi, 347th Operations Group commander.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
