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Strategic Aeromedical Evacuation


NSPA provides Strategic Aeromedical Evacuation (Strat AE) services that can be called for aeromedical evacuation of stable patients worldwide, where nations have operational and day-to-day commitment. Service is defined as the phase of medical evacuation providing airlift from theatre of active operations or from areas of day-to-day operations and subsequent delivery to the home nation or to a safe place where appropriate medical care is available. Strat AE is not for forwarding airlift between points within the combat zone. Upon a Nation's request, NSPA can provide suitable options within a week.

Strat AE can transport:
  • Non-intensive care patients
  • Pediatric patients
  • Infectious disease patients
  • Repatriation of mortal remains
Who can use Strat AE ?
  • All OLSP nations
  • NSPO Customers including other NATO or partner nations
  • NATO bodies
  • Nations in support of NATO operations

Contact Operational Logistics Support Partnership

 
 


Frequently Asked Questions

To which NSPO customers are STRAT AE Services available?

OLSP member nations. The OLSP Committee made services available to other NSPO customers including NATO bodies, Partner nations, Non-NATO nations in support of NATO operations. Non-OLSP customers must have an appropriate agreement with NSPO or may be facilitated by an OLSP sponsor nation. Non-OLSP customers will access a 5% surcharge over the cost of services. laws, guaranteeing environmental and health protection, safety, and cost optimisation.

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What does STRAT AE mean?

The Strategic Aeromedical Evacuation (STRAT AE) Service is defined as the phase of medical evacuation that provides airlift from theatre of active operations or from areas of day-to-day operations and subsequent delivery to the home nation, to other NATO Nations and partners, or to temporary staging areas. STRAT AE is not for forward airlift between points within the combat zone.

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What type of contracting mechanism is STRAT AE?

The STRAT AE capability is considered a basic contracting instrument. STRAT AE is comprised of a standing commercial outline agreement between NSPA and a commercial service provider. The service provider has already adhered to strict NSPA procurement proceedings and is qualified to delivery STRAT AE services as detailed in the statement of work of the online agreement. For each requirement, a mission specific request for proposal (MSRFP) will be conducted. NSPA staff will evaluate all contractor proposals and suitable commercial proposals will be presented to the customer for selection.

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Is STRAT AE a 24 hours / 7 days a week on call capability?

No. However, NSPA will act immediately upon request for STRAT AE Services. STRAT AE is designed for the transport of stable patients; normally adequate time for planning such moves is afforded. Upon receipt of a requirement, a STRAT AE mission specific request for proposal (MSRFP) will be initiated at NSPA. Normally, NSPA STRAT AE offers to customers are provided within a week. However, timelines of offers depend on the specific requirement and the speed at which customers provide the necessary information for the evacuation. For aircraft notice-to-move when associated to the priority / degree of emergency, the movement timings begin only after the customer accepts the NSPA commercial offer and shall be defined in the NSPA offer.

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How can Non-OLSP Nations access STRAT AE?

The common way of tasking NSPA outside of a partnership is the establishment of a separate bilateral agreement with NSPO e.g., Sales Agreement to use NSPA services for Strategic Airlift / Medical Services. However, this may take several weeks or even months. Non-OLSP nations should contact the OLSP Office at olsp.office@nspa.nato.int for the possibilities to access the contract well in advance of a potential requirement. A faster option for non-OLSP nations would be to join OLSP as a member nation or for non-OLSP nations to coordinate a bilateral agreement with an OLSP member nation to serve as a sponsor. Please note that NSPA does not coordinate bilateral agreement between nations.

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Is it possible to move more than one patient with the same flight?

Yes. It is possible to move more than one patient with the same flight. Limitations on patient numbers may be subject to the inflight care required for the patients and the size of the available aircraft at the time of tasking.

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If there is more than one patient to pick up, can there be multiple drop off / destination locations?

Depending on the specific requirement, it may be possible to have more than one drop off location in a single move. NSPA can request options in the mission specific request for proposal (MSRP); NSPA will present all suitable options with the associated costs to the customer for selection and approval.

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Is it possible for the Next of Kin to travel along, in the aircraft, with the patient?

Yes, the contract foresees the possibility for next of kin to join the patient on the flight.

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Does the movement include ground ambulance services?

Yes. If required, ground transportation can be provided. Bed-to-bed moves are foreseen in the contract. Such moves include end-to-end transport of patients or put another way, pick up from origin medical facility and delivery to destination medical facility.

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Can STRAT AE transport civilians or just military personnel?

The NSPA STRAT AE Services is agnostic to personal national or employment status. Services can be afforded for whoever the customer requests.

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Can STRAT AE move COVID-19 patients?

Yes. COVID-19 patients, with or without symptoms, can be moved.

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