The aeromedical evacuation squadron lineage at what is currently Travis AFB, California, dates back to the 1950s to Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina. The units at Pope have deactivated and activated multiple times, each with a different name, yet the mission never changed: to transport sick or wounded patients to adequate medical facilities.
Activated as the 1st Medical Air Evacuation Squadron on 11 Jun 1951 and re-designated the 1st Aeromedical Squadron on 8 Apr 1957 thru 1 Jul 1994 the unit participated in several campaigns and historical aeromedical missions.
The unit was re-designated as the 43rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron on 31 March 1997 as the result of a change in its parent wing, having previously been the 22nd and 23rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron.
In April 1999, the 43 AES deployed to Tirana, Albania in support of Operation Noble Anvil. As part of Task Force Hawk, AES personnel provided support to Army V Corps. Twenty-seven missions were flown on opportune C-17 and C-130 aircraft resulting in the safe and timely transfer of service members to include one injured security police dog.
On 7 October 2001, The US began its war on terrorism and Operation Enduring Freedom began. Later that month, personnel from the 43 AES, were the first aeromedical forces to deploy overseas. Since January 2003 members of the 43 AES have been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Members of the 43 AES also deployed in support of joint operations related to Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita in 2005. The 60th AES continues to support all humanitarian efforts both CONUS and OCONUS with crews available to launch at a moment’s notice.
The move from Pope Army Airfield to Travis AFB provides more training opportunities for its medical aircrew members on the C-17, KC-10, C-5, KC-135’s from Fairchild, and the newest to the Travis Fleet, the KC-46.
The 43rd AES was deactivated and the 60th AES was activated on 9 Jun 2020. Since then, members of the unit have participated in operations supporting Inherent Resolve, Operation Allies Welcome, and Operation Allies Refuge. The motto of the 60th AES is “Always First”. It’s a tribute to the history of the 1st Aeromedical Squadron as well as signifying its members are always first to the rescue.