What is the only aeromedical evacuation (AE) asset that can move critical care (ICU) patients?

• A. Aeromedical Evacuation Liaison Teams (AELT)
• B. Enroute Patient Staging Systems (ERPSS)
• C. Air Force Theater Hospital (AFTH)
• D. Critical Care Air Transport Teams (CCATT)

Answer: (D)

Critical care in flight requires specialized teams and equipment that can maintain ICU-level care during transport. Critical Care Air Transport Teams are designed for this purpose: they include trained critical care clinicians and carry portable ICU equipment such as ventilators, infusion pumps, monitors, and necessary medications. With this setup, they can provide life-sustaining interventions and continuous monitoring throughout the flight, safely moving patients who require ICU-level support.

The other AE assets serve important roles but not in-flight critical care transport. Liaison teams coordinate operations and communications; enroute staging systems organize patient flow and resources on the move; theater hospitals provide field-level inpatient care but are ground-based facilities, not mobile ICU teams. Hence, CCATT is uniquely capable of moving ICU patients.