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AES Ops Building named after influential Wing, AES member

  • Published
  • By Capt Michaela Judge
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. --  A dedication ceremony was held Sept. 20, at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., formally naming a 315th Airlift Wing building after Air Force Reservist Master Sgt. Ronald Hall, who made significant contributions to the Aeromedical Evacuation field during his career. Hall began his military and AE career in 1983, and after years of dedicated military service, passed away in 2011.

During the ceremony, attended by family, friends and co-workers, Building 416, was officially designated as the Master Sergeant Ronald A. Hall Aeromedical Evacuation Operations Facility in his memory and honor.

"Air Force heritage is remembering those that made lasting contributions to the nation. When Airmen ask 'Who was Ron Hall?' it gives us the chance to explain his accomplishments and highlight the values he exemplified that we hold dear," said Lt. Col. David Ball, chief of operations.

As part of his career, Sergeant Hall was assigned to Charleston Air Force base in 1987 and played a key role as an aeromedical evacuation technician and evaluator. As an AE crew member, he was qualified on C-141, C-130, KC-135, C-17 and CRAF aircraft.
Hall's professionalism helped to further AE's role to "Preserve the fighting strength," by providing in-flight medical care aboard mission-directed aircraft used to airlift patients - essentially turning the C-1y into a flying hospital.

His service and dedication to the Air Force brought him to locations all over the world to include Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Hawaii, Europe, Japan, Panama, Azores, St. Croix, and Puerto Rico.

"For 24 of his 28 years of service, Master Sgt. Ron Hall served as an aeromedical evacuation technician at the 315th AES. He became an Instructor and later an Evaluator teaching new generations of Airmen how to care for wounded in flight," said Ball.

Despite having a massive heart attack while on an alert crew after the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks, Hall fought to regain worldwide mobility status and later deployed in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

Even further surpassing his love for his job was the care and time Sergeant Hall spent with his co-workers, friends and family.

"In addition to his superior clinical and crew management skills, Ron was a genuinely nice guy. He was the Pitmaster; the cook for all of our BBQs... be they here at Charleston or at hotspots around the globe," said Ball.

The ceremony included remarks by Col. Diane DiFrancesco, AES commander, as well as several remembrances from friends and previous co-workers. At the close of the dedication, Sergeant Hall's wife and family cut the ribbon marking the official designation of the Master Sergeant Ronald A. Hall Aeromedical Evacuation Operations Facility. The ceremony was followed by a tour of the facility and wing BBQ, representing one of Sergeant Hall's favorite pastimes.

"Master Sgt. Hall was truly considered a subject matter expert within the AE community; he made tremendous contributions over the years in support of global aeromedical contingencies, exercises and training," said DiFrancesco. "Naming our operations building after Master Sgt. Hall, establishes a permanent reminder of the values that he represented to all those that had the honor to know and serve with him. The mottos "Duty, Honor, Country" were words that he embodied throughout his military career."