EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – When the 413th Flight Test Squadron receives a call from the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, it's typically the last resort for someone in the community requiring a life-saving critical care flight.
This was the case Aug. 5 when the 413th FLTS and 96th Medical Group accepted a mission to transport a patient with a brain aneurysm from Panama City’s Ascension Bay Hospital to Pensacola’s Sacred Heart Hospital for immediate neurosurgery.
“We are the last possible option to get that patient to a higher-level care facility,” said Maj. Richard Burges, a 413th FLTS test pilot, who took the initial call to start the mission. “However, we are a flight test unit and are not on alert to support these mission types. So, every time we’re able to accomplish one, it’s due to the efforts of our maintainers, medics, and flight equipment personnel.”
The mission logistics and planning began quickly as soon as Lt. Col. Dale Hargis, the 413th FLTS’s commander, accepted the AFRCC task. The first call Burges made after that was to the 96th MDG.
This mission required a physician, registered nurse and a paramedic. Once selected, the medical team gathered patient information from the Ascension Bay medical team to prepare the proper equipment, medications and create a treatment plan for the flight.
Capt. Erik Bjelke, 96th MDG intensive care nurse, got the call while preparing to leave for the day. He and Staff Sgt. Ramon Gonzalez, a 96th MDG paramedic, recently completed the 413th FLTS’s helicopter training, which ensured aircraft familiarity. Bjelke, Gonzalez and Dr. (Capt.) Jonathan Martin, a 96th MDG emergency physician, completed their team and rushed to the flightline in an ambulance carrying all the necessary equipment and supplies for inflight monitoring and care.
“There was an immense sense of purpose,” said Bjelke, recalling the immediacy of movement to be ready for the takeoff. “Our hospital has many highly skilled medics, but it's not often we get to apply the critical skills we train to maintain for wartime or contingency operations. This mission was truly unique and a significant departure from my usual day-to-day tasks.”
Meanwhile at Duke Field, the 413th FLTS planners had to overcome the 15-mile distance separating the crew from their aircraft. The UH-1 Huey was at Eglin for a scheduled cleaning. The aircrew, maintenance team and flight equipment moved south during peak traffic hours, while the maintainers’ work schedule got extended to recover the helicopter after duty hours.
Along with people and supplies, the helicopter’s flight plan and air logistics became a vital part for mission success. Maj. Josh Park, a 413th FLTS test pilot, calculated the necessary details like helipad landings, onboard and off board procedures for two hospitals, and the power requirements for a fully loaded helicopter on an approximately 250-mile trip.
“Without his quick and accurate planning, we would not have taken off with enough fuel to transport the patient to Pensacola without having to stop along the way,” said Burges about his mission co-pilot.
The air crew and medical team geared up and were in the air in less than two hours from the initial call.
“These missions are frequently the most difficult. We don’t have much time to plan and make sure everything is accomplished,” added Burges, who also flew a critical care flight in 2025 involving a child. “Thankfully, our amazing team was able to divide and conquer. None of it could have happened without people immediately taking care of business without waiting to be tasked.”
When the Air Force medics arrived at and entered Ascension Bay, the patient’s family was with him.
“The family was incredibly relieved and appreciative to see the Air Force,” said Bjelke about his first live patient transport. “It seemed like we were their only hope.”
With the patient on board, the medics took charge within the helicopter’s confined space. Miller and Gonzalez focused on the sedated patient’s assisted breathing and medical supplies while Bjelke monitored the IV pumps and monitors.
“Our workspace was very limited, so each team member had a specific focus area,” said Bjelke. “It truly required close coordination and trust within the team.”
The 130-mile trip to Pensacola went smoothly. With crew rest times approaching and fuel running short, the Eglin team couldn’t wait for Sacred Heart’s medics to assist in the off-load. The Airmen lifted the patient’s stretcher off the helicopter and carried him into the hospital’s emergency department. The security guard, who halted traffic for the helicopter’s landing, turned toward them and saluted the Airmen as they passed.
“It was a powerful moment of recognition and respect,” said Bjelke.
The helicopter lifted off from Sacred Heart with only 10 minutes of fuel remaining. The team stopped at Pensacola airport to refuel for the trip home. With the patient delivered and in surgery, the aircrew and medics breathed a little easier as they organized their gear and stowed equipment on the relatively quiet helicopter trip back to Duke Field.
“Flying the UH-1N on this life-saving mission was a profound privilege,” said Park. “For me, the true highlight was watching our 96th TW Airmen, both civilian and military, come together at moment’s notice and uniting their specialized skills to help save a fellow American in need.”
After this critical care mission, 96th Test Wing leadership had high praises for the Airmen and their accomplishment.
“The seamless collaboration between the 413th FLTS and 96th MDG was instrumental in saving this patient’s life,” said Col. Tara Lovell, 96th MDG commander. “Beyond providing a vital service to our local community, this mission validated our rapid-response and readiness capabilities.”