Recently, Air Ambulance Victoria, in partnership with Babcock Australasia (Babcock), proudly hosted members of the Australian Defence Force’s 3rd Health Battalion (3HB) at Essendon Air Base for a hands-on Aero Medical Evacuation training session.
The visiting 3HB contingent – made up of reservist and full-time Army paramedics, nurses, GPs, and surgeons – spent several non-flying training hours on an AW139 helicopter and static winch trainer, undertaking joint winch recovery exercises under the guidance of experienced MICA Flight Paramedics and Babcock Pilots and Air Crew Officers.
The training focused on patient care and preparation for winching, with Babcock and Air Ambulance Victoria crews facilitating discussions around critical decision-making and risk mitigation.
In addition to the practical exercises, 3HB personnel were introduced to the historical and current operations of Air Ambulance Victoria, including its fixed-wing and rotary capabilities, technical specifications, and the diverse range of missions conducted across its Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) fleet.
“This training session highlighted and reinforced the value of collaboration in improving aeromedical readiness across diverse operational environments,” Essendon Senior Base Air Crew Officer Don Riddle said.
“Myself and Air Crew Officer Steve Laycock, who was also involved in the training, are both ex-ADF Air Crew Officers, so we were able to offer unique perspectives on the differences between peacetime patient care and warlike operations and between military and non-military aeromedical equipment. We also highlighted the advantages of Air Ambulance Victoria’s operating procedures.
“The session created a valuable platform for professional dialogue and for building networks that support ongoing knowledge sharing.”
This interagency initiative reflects the ongoing dedication of Babcock and Air Ambulance Victoria to advancing clinical and operational knowledge and ensuring readiness for complex rescue scenarios, whether in civilian or military settings.