AF Form 3851: Patient Baggage Data Guide & Download – AF Form 3851, officially titled Patient Baggage Data, is a key administrative form used in the U.S. Air Force’s Aeromedical Evacuation (AE) system. It helps track and manage patients’ personal baggage during medical transport flights, ensuring accountability, security, and efficient handoff between facilities, staging units, and en route care (ERC) teams.
This form supports safe patient movement under the Air Force’s global aeromedical evacuation operations, which move ill or injured service members, dependents, and other authorized patients to appropriate medical treatment facilities (MTFs).
What Is AF Form 3851 Used For?
The primary purpose of AF Form 3851 is to document and track patient baggage during aeromedical evacuation or patient transport. It allows En Route Care (ERC) personnel, patient staging staff, originating Medical Treatment Facilities (MTFs), and Aeromedical Evacuation Crews (AEC) to record details about each piece of baggage, including contents, weight, and identification.
Proper use of the form helps:
- Prevent loss of personal items or valuables.
- Ensure compliance with baggage weight and security restrictions.
- Facilitate smooth handoffs between ground transport, staging facilities, and aircraft.
- Support anti-hijacking and safety protocols required for AE missions.
It is often used alongside related forms such as:
- DD Form 600 (Patient’s Baggage Tag)
- AF Form 3854 (Receipt for Patient’s Valuables)
- AF Form 3899 series (Aeromedical Evacuation Patient Record)
- Patient manifests generated via TRAC2ES (TRANSCOM Regulating and Command and Control Evacuation System).
Who Uses AF Form 3851?
- Originating MTF staff and patient administration personnel
- Patient Staging teams (including Expeditionary Medical Support or En Route Patient Staging System – ERPSS)
- Aeromedical Evacuation Crew Members (AECMs) and En Route Care personnel
- Medical Regulating Offices and AE Squadrons
The form is typically completed or updated at the originating facility, during staging, and as needed during transport. Multiple copies may be required (e.g., for enroute stops and mission paperwork).
Key Guidance from Official Air Force Instructions
According to DAFI48-107V3 (En Route Care and Aeromedical Evacuation Medical Operations), AF Form 3851 is specifically used by ERC personnel during patient transport to manage baggage effectively.
Related instructions address baggage policies:
- Patients are generally authorized up to 70 pounds of personal baggage (excluding certain issue items like body armor).
- Smaller aircraft (e.g., C-21) may have stricter limits, such as one small bag.
- Baggage is processed separately from regular passenger baggage.
- Anti-hijacking inspections apply to patients and their bags per applicable security instructions (e.g., references to AFI 13-207-O in some guidance).
DD Form 600 baggage tags are attached to each piece of luggage, and the AF Form 3851 serves as the detailed inventory or data sheet.
Note on the Form: The current official version is available as a PDF from the Air Force e-Publishing site. You can download the latest fillable or printable version here: https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_sg/form/af3851/af3851.pdf. Always verify you are using the most recent version through official e-Publishing channels, as forms can be updated.
How to Fill Out AF Form 3851 (General Process)?
While specific block-by-block instructions are printed on the form itself or in unit-level guidance, typical information captured includes:
- Patient identification (name, rank/grade, SSN or DoD ID, mission/patient movement number)
- Destination and originating facility
- Number of bags and description of each item
- Weight of each bag or total weight
- Contents list (especially for valuables or medical-related items)
- Remarks or special handling instructions
- Signatures from preparing personnel, patient (if applicable), and receiving staff
- Anti-hijacking certification statement (often noted on or with the form)
Best practices:
- Complete the form legibly or use electronic systems where available.
- Cross-reference with the patient manifest and TRAC2ES data.
- Attach or reference DD Form 600 tags.
- Ensure valuables are documented separately on AF Form 3854 if needed.
- Make required copies for continuity during multi-leg transports.
For exact field requirements, refer directly to the form PDF and your local AE or medical operations instructions. Training for AE personnel (e.g., 4A0X1 Health Services Management or AECM courses) covers proper use of this and related forms.
Why Accurate Baggage Documentation Matters in AE?
In aeromedical evacuation, every detail counts for patient safety and mission success. Mismanaged baggage can lead to:
- Delayed care or lost personal effects
- Security or compliance issues
- Increased workload during critical handoff periods
Using AF Form 3851 correctly contributes to the overall efficiency of the Air Force’s Worldwide Aeromedical Evacuation System, supporting combat operations, humanitarian missions, and routine patient movements.
Additional Resources for USAF Personnel
- Official Download: AF Form 3851 PDF
- Air Force e-Publishing: Search for DAFI48-107V1, V3 and related AE publications
- TRAC2ES system for patient movement records and manifests
- Unit AE Squadron or Medical Group guidance for local procedures
Important: Always follow the latest Department of the Air Force Instructions (DAFIs), Air Force Manuals, and theater-specific guidance. Policies and form versions can be updated; check e-publishing.af.mil for the most current information.
If you are an Air Force medical, AE, or patient administration professional needing assistance with AE documentation, consult your chain of command, AE instructor, or the references in DAFI48-107 series for full procedural details.
This article is for informational purposes and is based on publicly available Air Force publications as of 2026. It is not a substitute for official training or current directives.