Aerial transport and Department-wide capability for high-consequence infectious diseases

provides the Department with aerial transport of patients with high-consequence infectious diseases; and

provides support to other departments and agencies of the Federal Government, State and local governments, and civilian and academic partners, as determined appropriate by the Secretary.

develop and maintain a curriculum, and identify qualified instructors to train and certify military and civilian medical personnel, on procedures associated with the safe, long-range aerial transport of patients with high-consequence infectious diseases;

establish, and periodically update, medical care standards, infection prevention and control measures, and operational safety protocols necessary to maximize patient survival and minimize infection risk to aircrew, medical personnel, and support personnel;

serve as the joint force advocate and executive agent within the Department of Defense for aerial transport of individuals with high-consequence infectious diseases;

establish standards, sustainment requirements, and lifecycle management processes for personal protective equipment, transport isolation systems, and associated medical equipment used in transporting infected patients;

develop, in coordination with the Joint Staff, joint doctrine, concepts of operation, and medical force requirements necessary to support a Department of Defense-wide high-consequence infectious disease capability, including patient movement, definitive care, and integration across the continuum of care;

coordinate with the other Secretaries of the military departments and the Director of the Defense Health Agency to inform the organization, training, and equipping of specialized, organized teams capable of conducting high-consequence infectious disease patient movement and care in operational, austere, and strategic environments;

support interoperability and operational integration with other departments and agencies of the Federal Government, State and local governments, and civilian and academic partners to enable coordinated response to tactical incidents, large-scale contingencies, and research activities related to emerging and future infectious disease threats; and

identify capability gaps and support research, development, testing, and evaluation of medical countermeasures, transport systems, protective equipment, and operational procedures necessary to improve survivability, safety, and mission effectiveness in high-consequence infectious disease operations.