As this article is being written, the "Q" is on a display in Dallas, Texas, at the Sperandio Conference.   There has been a tremendous amount of interest in the aircraft as it nears materiel release.  We expect the materiel release within the next 30 days.  Along with materiel release, we should get an Air Worthiness Release (AWR) with a lot fewer restrictions than the one we now operate under.  Once this occurs, we should begin to be able to utilize the aircraft in actual live patient transport/care situations.

We will be at the AAAA Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, 10-12 May and possibly at the Infantry Conference at Ft. Benning, Georgia, sometime in June.  Then comes July and the National Training Center.  As you can see, the pace is picking up and will continue to do so right up until deployment to NTC. 

We should continue to train diligently toward NTC.  I appreciate all the effort that each and every crewmember has put forward in his individual training/RL progression.  We must first work toward RL1 and then toward becoming as proficient as possible to prepare for the rigorous flying at NTC.

There are currently plans toward a Mediterranean Naval Exercise for Annual Training in June 2000.  This would be a Forward Support Medical Team (FSMT) deployed from the USS Comfort as a part of a Sixth Fleet Exercise.  It will be another long AT (approximately 3 to 4 weeks) so give your employers notice of the possibility now.

Don't be surprised if "Q" is deployed to Kosovo or Bosnia within the next 3 to 4 months.  There are indications that something is on the horizon.  It is in the early planning stages now, but the fact is, the planning is taking place.

A thought to end with: 
"Our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become."