RAF C-130 Hercules aircraft leaves UK to provide support to earthquake-hit Turkey
An RAF C-130 Hercules transport aircraft has left RAF Brize Norton for Turkey where it will fly casualties of the earthquakes around the country.
The aircraft will have an accompanying Critical Care Air Support Team that will help provide vital emergency treatment to those critically injured by the catastrophic earthquakes.
A field hospital, which includes a 24/7 operating theatre, will also be deployed alongside medical staff, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) announced on Thursday.
Forces News understands the C-130 Hercules will drop off the field hospital before picking up people who need treatment, treating some in the air and dropping others off at medical facilities in other areas.
The aircraft will be based in Cyprus while providing support, it is understood.
RAF Medical Officer, Wing Commander David Hall told Forces News: "We'll be responsible for moving critically ill and injured patients on Royal Air Force aircraft around Turkey between different medical treatment facilities."
He added: "I'm very excited and very proud to be deploying with a great team from Tactical Medical Wing at Brize Norton and I think we can make a big difference to the disaster response."
RAF Aeromed Nurse, Tactical Medical Wing, Flight Lieutenant Sarah Coughlan said: "I think it's great that essentially the RAF medical services can go and help, and we can use our skillset. So, we've got some great clinicians that we can use to the best effect and help the people that really need us".
More than 22,000 people have died in Turkey and Syria following the earthquakes on Monday.
The MOD confirmed that an RAF A400M transport plane carrying humanitarian aid – including thousands of thermal blankets – landed near Gaziantep this morning (Friday) to deliver aid to Turkey.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace committed the support after discussions with his Turkish counterpart, Minister Hulusi Akar.
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