BOSTON, Mass.- About two dozen wounded Libyan fighters were evacuated in an Air National Guard C-17 Globemaster III from Libya to here Saturday.
At the request of State Department officials, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta directed two missions supporting the humanitarian assistance effort in Libya.
In the first mission, four wounded fighters were transported to medical facilities in Europe by an aircrew piloting a C-130J Super Hercules, assigned to the 86th Airlift Wing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, officials said.
An Air National Guard aircrew piloting a C-17, assigned to the 172nd Airlift Wing of the Mississippi National Guard, carried out the second mission. The crew landed at Boston Logan International Airport in the midst of a massive winter storm after a nearly 13 hour flight from Libya.
The Libyan Transitional National Council requested the transport of fighters to American medical facilities because their injuries could not be treated in Libya, officials said. The patients will be treated at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Salem, Mass., before returning to their country.
"We want to make sure these brave young men are able to return to their country to enjoy the freedom they so valiantly fought for," said David Storto, president of the Spaulding Rehabilitation Network.
Storto noted the success of the operation was due to a tight partnership between his organization, the Department of State and the Department of Defense, especially the Air Force.
The aircrew for this flight, which flies three weekly aeromedical evacuation missions to the Middle East, has transported more than 20,000 patients since 2005, officials said.
"[Aeromedical evacuation] is something our wing has committed to," said Air Force Col. James Hartline, the 172nd Operations Group commander. "We're proud that the Air National Guard can contribute to this total force effort."
Hartline noted that aeromedical evacuation not only saves lives, but also demonstrates America's support and goodwill to nations that are fighting for freedom.
According to those involved, the mission was not without its challenges.
"The most challenging part of the mission was the language barrier," said Air Force Capt. Rhett Blue, the mission's medical crew director. "We really didn't have a lot of information as to the types of injuries these patients had sustained."
Blue said they were fortunate to have great interpreters on board to help them out with the mission.
Ultimately, his team was able to ensure the patients remained in stable condition and worked hard to make their long flight as comfortable as possible. He added that regardless of the challenges a particular mission presents, aeromedical evacuation teams always have one goal in mind - to help.
"We're here to help out," he said. "That's what we're called to do. We bring the guys back safely."
Hartline agreed.
"[Air evac] units are some of the most committed units I've seen," he said. "It's humbling to watch them work. They are really the unsung heroes of the Air Force. No matter how tired these troops are, they want to go and help save lives."
The Libyan operation, which was a very limited, short-term effort, was the only aeromedical evacuation mission scheduled to arrive in the United States, officials said.
"This shows that Americans are willing to offer support during war and in peace," said Ali Aujali, the Libyan Ambassador to the United States. "For this, we are grateful."
Mark Ward, a Department of State senior adviser for Arab transitions, complimented the cooperation between the Air Force, Department of Defense, Department of State and everyone involved.
"We talk about public and private partnerships," he said, "This is one of the best I've ever seen."
"Our forces deliver hope across the globe every day," said Air Force Lt. Gen. Mark Ramsay, the18th Air Force commander.
"This mission was another example of the talent and commitment of our great mobility Airmen and the great things they make happen," he said. "We are honored to have been part of this effort."