AF Form 3891: Patients Reported for Aeromedical Airlift

AF Form 3891: Patients Reported for Aeromedical Airlift – Aeromedical evacuation (AE) plays a critical role in the U.S. Air Force’s ability to provide rapid, safe transport of patients to higher levels of care. AF Form 3891, titled Patients Reported for Aeromedical Airlift Movement, is an official Air Force form used to document and report patients who are enplaned or deplaned during AE missions.

Military medical professionals, Aeromedical Evacuation Crew Members (AECMs), and patient movement coordinators rely on this form as part of the broader en route care documentation system governed by Department of the Air Force Instructions (DAFIs).

What Is AF Form 3891?

AF Form 3891 is used to track the number of patients reported for aeromedical airlift movement. It helps AE teams and mission managers maintain accurate records of patient flow during missions, including how many patients board (enplane) and disembark (deplane) from USAF aircraft such as the C-17 Globemaster III, C-130 Hercules, or KC-135 Stratotanker configured for medical transport.

While the primary patient movement record is AF Form 3899 (Aeromedical Evacuation Patient Record), AF Form 3891 supports operational tracking and mission management by providing a summary or manifest-style report of patients moved on a specific flight or mission.

Key facts:

  • Full Title: Patients Reported for Aeromedical Airlift Movement
  • Form Type: Official Air Force form (previously referenced as AF IMT 3891 in older systems)
  • Purpose: Patient movement tracking and reporting within the Aeromedical Evacuation (AE) system
  • Official Download: Available on the Air Force e-Publishing website: https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_sg/form/af3891/af3891.pdf

Why AF Form 3891 Matters in Aeromedical Evacuation?

The U.S. Air Force operates one of the world’s most advanced patient movement systems under U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM). This system coordinates regulated patient movement through Patient Movement Requirements Centers (PMRCs) and the TRANSCOM Regulating and Command & Control Evacuation System (TRAC2ES).

AF Form 3891 contributes to:

  • Accurate mission reporting and accountability
  • Tracking patient throughput on AE missions
  • Supporting logistics and resource planning for AE crews and Critical Care Air Transport Teams (CCATT)
  • Compliance with documentation standards in DAFI 48-107V3 (En Route Care Documentation) and related instructions

It is often used alongside other key forms in the 3899 series, such as AF Form 3892 (Patients Holding for Aeromedical Airlift Movement), to maintain complete visibility of patient status from request through transport.

Who Uses AF Form 3891?

  • Aeromedical Evacuation Squadrons (AES) and AE Crew Members (AECMs)
  • Flight Nurses and Aeromedical Technicians
  • Patient Administration personnel at Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs)
  • AE Liaison Teams (AELT) and Mission Managers
  • Critical Care Air Transport Teams (CCATT)

Medical providers at originating facilities focus primarily on completing the detailed AF Form 3899 for individual patient clearance and records, while AE operational teams use AF Form 3891 for aggregate mission reporting.

How AF Form 3891 Fits into the Patient Movement Process?

  1. Patient Identification & Request — A provider at an MTF identifies the need for aeromedical transport and completes the Patient Movement Request (PMR), typically supported by AF Form 3899.
  2. Validation & Clearance — The Theater Patient Movement Requirements Center (TPMRC) or Global PMRC validates the request. A flight surgeon clears the patient for flight.
  3. Preparation & Holding — Forms like AF Form 3892 may track patients awaiting movement.
  4. Enplaning & Mission Execution — AF Form 3891 helps record patients actually boarding the aircraft for the aeromedical airlift.
  5. Documentation & Deplaning — The form supports accurate counting and reporting upon arrival at the destination MTF.

This process ensures safe, regulated movement of ambulatory, litter, and critical care patients while maintaining detailed records for quality improvement and operational analysis.

How to Complete AF Form 3891?

Although specific block-by-block instructions are provided directly on the form and in associated DAFI guidance, general best practices include:

  • Clearly list patient counts by category (ambulatory vs. litter, precedence level, etc.)
  • Include mission details, date, aircraft tail number or mission number, originating and destination locations
  • Ensure totals for enplaned and deplaned patients are accurate and reconciled
  • Follow Privacy Act guidelines, as the form handles protected health information

Important: Always refer to the latest version of the form on the official e-Publishing site and consult DAFI 48-107V3 or unit-specific guidance for current completion standards. Incomplete or inaccurate documentation can delay patient movement or affect mission reporting.

For the most current fillable PDF, download it directly here:
AF Form 3891 PDF

  • AF Form 3899 – Aeromedical Evacuation Patient Record (core individual patient documentation)
  • AF Form 3892 – Patients Holding for Aeromedical Airlift Movement
  • AF Form 3899 series (A–L, etc.) – Specialized en route care records (medication, neurological assessment, critical care flowsheets, etc.)

These forms work together to support the full continuum of care during patient airlift.

Access & Compliance

All Air Force forms are available through the official Air Force e-Publishing portal (www.e-publishing.af.mil). Personnel should ensure they use the most recent version to remain compliant with current Department of the Air Force Instructions.

Note: This form and associated processes handle sensitive medical and personal information protected under the Privacy Act of 1974 and HIPAA-equivalent DoD rules.

Need Help with AF Form 3891 or Aeromedical Evacuation?

If you are a USAF medical professional, AE crew member, or patient movement coordinator requiring assistance with documentation, consult your local Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Flight Surgeon, or the guidance in DAFI 48-107 series publications. For mission-specific questions, reach out through your chain of command or the relevant PMRC.

Official Resources:

  • Air Force e-Publishing (for forms and DAFIs)
  • USTRANSCOM Patient Movement guidance
  • Air Mobility Command (AMC) Aeromedical Evacuation Fact Sheets

This article is for informational purposes and is based on publicly available U.S. Air Force publications and guidance as of 2026. Always verify with official sources for the latest requirements.

Keywords: AF Form 3891, Patients Reported for Aeromedical Airlift Movement, USAF aeromedical evacuation form, AF Form 3899, patient movement record, AE documentation, Air Force medical forms, aeromedical airlift tracking.