FORT LEWIS, Wash., - Because time is of the essence when dealing
with viable blood products, having air transportation available can make a
real difference in a blood center's ability to provide a better-quality
product.
So, when the blood team from Madigan Army Medical Center's Armed Services
Blood Bank Center, Pacific Northwest recently conducted a blood drive at the
Presidio of Monterey, Calif., they called on the Army National
Guard's Washington Regional Flight Center.
"Without those guys flying the C-12s and supporting us like they've
supported us for a long time, we wouldn't be able to meet our mission," said
Calvin Elkins, the center's technical supervisor.
Members of a collection team recently left the Presidio of Monterey with
four coolers and two specially designed boxes full of donations.
The cold interior of the coolers housing boxes of blood can only protect its
quality for so long before it has to be processed, organizers said.
As blood team members drove onto the tarmac, the white fuselage of the
Guard's sleek
C-12 Huron reflected the orange glow of the setting sun.
The aircraft's pilot, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jolly Harper, helped load the
coolers and boxes of blood prior to takeoff.
"You have to make sure everything is strapped in and secure in case of
turbulence," he said adding that the stormy skies over Washington state
sometimes provide a bumpy ride.
Harper and other Guard C-12 pilots have made several "blood runs" and know
the critical nature of their mission.
"We're hauling precious cargo on (these) flights," he said.
Crossing over breaking waves and sandy beaches below, the Huron took to the
air.
Once it reached its cruising altitude of 27,000 feet, the C-12 gave
passengers and crew a smooth flight away from Monterey to Joint Base
Lewis-McChord.
The two-hour, 45-minute flight not only shaves time off of the trip, but
also reduces the blood-collection manpower that would normally be dedicated
to driving the blood back to the base.
The twin turboprop aircraft is capable of carrying passengers, cargo or
variations of both.
The flight center commander Capt. Rana Korynta said the continuing support
of the blood run illustrates the capabilities of the C-12.
"We can take passengers and cargo straight to their destination," Korynta
said.
The three C-12s, including an aircraft operated by the Washington National
Guard Detachment 51, are capable of flying up to seven passengers from JBLM
to most continental U.S. destinations, she said.
"We're here for the installation," Korynta said.
Korynta said the unit, which is a detachment of Operational Support Airlift Agency based in Fort Belvoir, Va., has transported various cargo, couriers, military and civilian personnel on official business.
Instructor Pilot Chief Warrant Officer 4 Darrell Bowen said the aircrews are
ready to meet any transportation needs.
"Weather permitting, and maintenance wise, we're up," Bowen said. "A
standard day mission might take us down to San Diego and back."
Crews stay busy but C-12 pilots like to fly, he said. Bowen himself has
logged more than 16,000 flight hours.
"We can support West to East Coast missions," Bowen said. "We can get about
five hours flying time on one fuel load."
The Huron crews are eager to help support installation units through flying
personnel and equipment, he said.
Flight Operations NCO Staff Sgt. Marla Darby said it's important to get the
word out about what the unit can do and what services they offer.
"People should know we're here," Darby said. "Our flights don't cost their
units money."