RAMSTEIN, Germany — A Ramstein Air Base captain who helped evacuate critically wounded patients from Iraq has been named flight nurse of the year.
Capt. Kerry Castillo, a flight nurse with the 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron based at Ramstein, received the Dolly Vinsant Flight Nurse Award for her many air evacuation missions. The Commemorative Air Force presents the award each year in tribute to Lt. Wilma “Dolly” Roland Vinsant, a flight nurse killed in action over Germany in 1945, according to the group’s Web site.
Castillo helped move 10 urgent and four priority patients within the first month of a deployment to Balad Air Base, Iraq, according to an Air Force press release. She also helped evacuate an American pilot with serious back injuries and was involved in the transport of four critically wounded Ukranian soldiers injured in a bomb attack, according to the release.
“Capt. Castillo truly epitomizes the spirit and intent of this award. The 86th AES celebrates it with her,” said Col. Linda Ebling, 86th AES commander, in a released statement.
The Commemorative Air Force, known until 2001 as the Confederate Air Force, is a Texas-based, all-volunteer organization dedicated to preserving World War II-era military aviation heritage.
