ABSTRACT

The Royal Air Force (RAF) formalised the capability during the late 1990s with the formation of the Critical Care Air Support Team (CCAST). This team developed around a core group of RAF critical care doctors and nurses at Tactical Medical Wing (TMW) based at RAF Lyneham. Despite considerable previous experience in strategic evacuation, Operations Telic and Herrick were defining periods in CCAST's history. This chapter discusses the evolution of CCAST and both the lessons identified and the advances made during this period. It considers the particular challenges of these campaigns. Headquarters Air Command tasks Headquarters TMW and the UK Strategic Aeromedical Evacuation Centre at RAF Brize Norton to provide and coordinate UK Strategic aeromedical evacuation. The increase in unexpected survivors will ensure that CCAST continues to play a critical role in deployed and strategic military healthcare.