Barry Spiegel

USAF

U.S. Air Force

The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aerial warfare branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is responsible for air defense, air support, and aerospace operations. The USAF was officially established as a separate branch of the military in 1947, but its roots can be traced back to the formation of the Aeronautical Division of the U.S. Signal Corps in 1907. The USAF has a global presence, with bases and operations in countries around the world to protect U.S. interests and provide support to allies.

The 2nd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (2nd AES) was a United States Air Force unit assigned to the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE). Activated in 1957, the squadron was initially based at Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany, and later relocated to Ramstein Air Base. The 2nd AES specialized in providing aeromedical evacuation and in-flight medical care for wounded and ill military personnel throughout the European and African theaters. The unit played a crucial role in numerous operations, including medical evacuations during the Cold War, the Gulf War, and various humanitarian missions, until its inactivation in 1994.