7-20. CATEGORIES OF MOVEMENT PRECEDENCE
a. The categories of patient precedence for movement by USAF aeromedical
aircraft are the same as those used by the Army; however, there is a difference in time
frame. Where as Army aeromedical evacuation is normally from the point of injury to a
field medical facility, the USAF evacuates patients from medical facilities to other
medical facilities or to CONUS destinations. Therefore, the definitions of the three
precedence categories differ somewhat. Originating medical facilities must assign each
patient to be evacuated by USAF aircraft movement precedence, as follows:
(1) Urgent. For an emergency case which must be moved immediately to
save life or limb, or to prevent complication of a serious illness. Psychiatric cases or
terminal cases with a very short life expectancy are, therefore, not considered urgent.
(2) Priority. For patients requiring prompt medical not available locally.
Such patients must be picked up within 24 hours and delivered with the least possible
delay.
(3) Routine. For patients who should be picked up within 72 hours and
moved on routine or scheduled flights.
b. Movement precedence is not necessarily influenced by a patient's being very
seriously ill. The precedence assigned depends upon the urgency required in delivering
the patient to the destination medical facility. A very seriously ill patient may require
extensive care en route and specialized medical equipment. However, there may be no
medical necessity for his being moved any faster than other routine patients.
7-21. CONTROL OF AEROMEDICAL EVACUATION
a. Aeromedical Evacuation Control Center. An aeromedical evacuation
control center (AECC) is a control facility established by the commander of an airlift
division, USAF, or air command. It coordinates overall medical requirements with airlift
capability. It also assigns medical missions to the appropriate aeromedical evacuation
elements in the system and monitors patient movement activities.
b. Aeromedical Staging Facility. An aeromedical staging facility is a medical
facility located on or in the vicinity of an enplaning or deplaning air base or airstrip,
which has aeromedical staging beds. It provides reception, administration, processing,
ground transportation, feeding, and limited medical care for patients entering, en route
in, or leaving an aeromedical evacuation system.
c. Mobile Aeromedical Staging Facility. An MASF is used in tactical
aeromedical evacuation. Although the function is the same as any aeromedical staging
facility, it is comprised of tentage, equipment, and supplies which are highly mobile, self-
sufficient, and capable of being set up on a bare base or other unimproved area.
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