Aeromedical Isolation Team

The Aeromedical Isolation Team, or AIT, was like a special flying ambulance for very sick people. They had a super important job: to fly anywhere in the world and bring people who had really yucky germs back home safely. These germs were so strong, they needed special bubbles to keep everyone else safe. It was like a superhero team for when things got really, really sick!

The AIT used a special airplane that was like a flying hospital. Inside, they had a "transit isolator." This was a super strong, clear bubble where the sick person could stay safe and sound. It was so good at keeping germs in, that even if the person coughed, the germs couldn't get out!

This bubble was so important because it meant they could fly anywhere without worrying about spreading sickness.

This amazing team started way back in 1978. They practiced a lot, getting ready for any kind of emergency. Sometimes they had to be ready to help if someone used yucky germs as a weapon, which is called bioterrorism. They also helped scientists who got sick with strange diseases while working far away from home. They only flew on real missions four times, but they were always ready!

The AIT was part of the US Army and was based at a place called Fort Detrick. They were like the ultimate rapid response team. If there was a big problem with a dangerous sickness, they could be ready to go in a flash. Even though they were decommissioned in 2010, their job was so important that another team, from the Air Force, took over to keep people safe.