Airlifter of the week: SrA April VanHorn, 86 AMDS

U.S. Air Force Col. Matt S. Husemann, 86th Airlift Wing vice commander, poses for a photo with Senior Airman April VanHorn, 86th Aerospace Medical Squadron medical technician, to recognize her as Airlifter of the Week at Ramstein Air Base, Oct. 11. VanHorn received the award after streamlining several processes prior to a group inspection and for her proactiveness in providing first response action to an unconscious individual during a trip to Oktoberfest.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman April VanHorn, 86th Aerospace Medicine Squadron medical technician, received the honor of being Airlifter of the Week, Oct. 11 on Ramstein Air Base.

VanHorn, a Lincoln, Nebraska native, recently took on several challenges and has remained a hard charger by completing 94 percent of her specialty training in just four months.

Leading up to an inspection of the 86th Medical Group, VanHorn took over the flight program two months prior and revamped all the checklists, reformatted the infection control standards and conducted clinic inspections during off duty time to ensure compliance. Furthermore, she developed a records tracking template to make the process easier for both the technicians and the patients.

Outside of work, on a recent trip to Oktoberfest with her husband, VanHorn came across a female who appeared to be unconscious and a male with a nosebleed. She assessed the unconscious member, ensuring she had a pulse and was breathing. VanHorn then helped stop the male’s nosebleed. VanHorn continued to monitor the unconscious member until help arrived.

The recognition as Ramstein’s Airlifter of the Week took VanHorn by surprise.

“This was totally unexpected and I’m incredibly grateful for this recognition,” said VanHorn. “I want to thank my supervisor and my flight chief for everything they’ve done for me.”

The Airlifter of the Week program recognizes Ramstein Airmen who, through their hard work and dedication, make the 86th AW the “World’s Best Wing.”