The RAF detachment consisting of a Voyager Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft and elements of the RAF Tactical Medical Wing who will be conducting Aero Medical Evacuation drills with

Japanese Self Defence Forces medical personnel, as well as Aero Medical specialists from Canada, New Zealand and the United States Air Force.

The deployment began with the Voyager, which has been fitted for both stretcher bourne and medical high dependence patients conducting a simulated long range Tactical Aero Medical Evacuation in a Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Response scenario. The medical personnel flying onboard carrying out medical drills on simulated and artificial patients onboard the aircraft. On arrival in Japan, JSDF medical personnel joined the international team to conduct further training scenarios.

These drills are one of the key objectives of the exercise, which is to develop interoperability between the various nation’s Aero Medical personnel, with the objective of developing procedures that will allow nations to operate on board each other’s aircraft if the need arises.

In Japan, the RAF Voyager will be used for further training, both static on the ground where the partner nations will work on interoperability skills as well as carrying out various medical scenarios while in flight.

British Defence Attaché to Japan Captain Colin William said:

The deployment of the RAF Voyager and the Tactical Med Wing is the most significant deployment by the RAF to Japan for many years. It demonstrates not only the deepening of the UK-Japan bilateral relationship, signalled by the recent signing of the Hiroshima Accord, but also the power of multinational relationships, working together as like-minded nations in order to help and demonstrate regional peace and security.

Wing Commander Phillip Foster the Royal Air Force Detachment Commander for the exercise said:

This element of the exercise from a UK and RAF perspective is extremely important and a privilege to be part of. As a team it gives us an opportunity to broaden our partnership with the JSDF by growing a relationship that is significant to the intent of the UK in this strategically important region. We are here to contribute to the promotion of peace and stability whilst showcasing our outstanding medical care teams capabilities and their ability to offer support and assistance that could be of value to the JSDF in crisis.

The Japan leg of Ex Mobility Guardian 23 will end on the 20th July when the RAF Voyager and the medical personnel will return to Guam and then on to the UK.  Photo: Paul Crouch/MOD, Wikimedia commons.