AF Form 3894: Aeromedical Mission Inbound Notification

AF Form 3894: Aeromedical Mission Inbound Notification – The AF Form 3894, officially titled Aeromedical Mission Inbound Notification, serves as a vital tool in the U.S. Air Force’s aeromedical evacuation (AE) system. It notifies receiving medical facilities, aeromedical staging squadrons, and support teams about incoming patients transported via air. This form helps ensure seamless coordination, patient safety, and efficient resource allocation during critical patient movements.

Whether you’re an aeromedical evacuation crew member (AECM), medical technician, flight nurse, or administrator at a military treatment facility (MTF), understanding AF Form 3894 is essential for mission success in both peacetime and contingency operations.

What Is AF Form 3894?

AF Form 3894 is an official Department of the Air Force form used to provide advance notification of inbound aeromedical missions. It communicates key details about the mission, patients, and required support to ground-based medical teams, staging facilities, and en route care personnel.

The form dates back to its original edition on August 1, 1997, and remains in use as part of the broader suite of aeromedical documentation. It complements other key forms in the AE process, such as the AF Form 3899 series (Aeromedical Evacuation Patient Record), which handles detailed patient movement records.

You can download the current fillable PDF directly from the official Air Force e-Publishing site:
https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_sg/form/af3894/af3894.pdf

Purpose of the Aeromedical Mission Inbound Notification

According to Department of the Air Force Instruction (DAFI) 48-107 Volume 3, AF Form 3894 may be utilized to plan, manage, execute, and track multiple aeromedical evacuation (AE) missions.

Its primary goals include:

  • Alerting receiving facilities about incoming patients (including names, diagnoses, and special requirements).
  • Coordinating ground support, equipment, personnel, and transportation needs upon aircraft arrival.
  • Supporting mission tracking and situational awareness across the AE system.
  • Enhancing patient safety by ensuring medical teams prepare for specific in-flight or post-flight care needs.

This notification is especially critical in high-tempo operations, mass casualty incidents (MASCAL), or when moving critically ill or injured service members, dependents, or civilians authorized for AE.

Who Uses AF Form 3894?

Primary users include:

  • Aeromedical Evacuation Crews (AEC) — Flight nurses, AE technicians, and physicians.
  • Patient Movement Cells (PMC) and Aeromedical Staging Squadrons (ASTS).
  • En Route Patient Staging System (ERPSS) personnel.
  • Medical administrators and receiving MTFs at Air Force bases, joint facilities, or deployed locations.
  • Coordination centers involved in global patient movement under U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) oversight.

It fits within the larger framework governed by DAFI 48-107V1, En Route Care and Aeromedical Evacuation Medical Operations, which establishes standards for the AE system.

Key Information Typically Included on AF Form 3894

While the exact layout is best viewed in the official PDF, the form generally captures:

  • Mission details — Mission number, aircraft type, estimated time of arrival (ETA), departure point.
  • Patient information — Names, ranks, diagnoses/conditions, number of patients (litter vs. ambulatory).
  • Medical requirements — Special equipment needs, in-flight care level (e.g., critical care), isolation precautions.
  • Support requests — Ground transportation, security, additional medical personnel, or staging requirements.
  • Notification and coordination blocks — Sender/receiver details, dates/times, and signatures.

The form emphasizes clear, concise data to minimize miscommunication during time-sensitive operations. Patient privacy is protected per applicable regulations (e.g., HIPAA-equivalent standards in the military health system).

How to Complete and Submit AF Form 3894?

  1. Gather accurate data from the patient movement request (often initiated via systems like TRAC2ES) and the AF Form 3899 Patient Movement Record.
  2. Fill out all relevant blocks legibly. Use standard military abbreviations where appropriate.
  3. Coordinate early — Send the notification as soon as mission details are confirmed to allow receiving teams adequate preparation time.
  4. Transmit securely — Use official military email, secure fax, or integrated command-and-control systems.
  5. Retain records — Keep copies as part of mission documentation for after-action reviews and tracking.

Pro Tip: Always cross-reference with the latest version of DAFI 48-107 and local unit standard operating procedures (SOPs), as workflows can vary between active duty, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve components.

AF Form 3894 works alongside:

  • AF Form 3899 — Core Aeromedical Evacuation Patient Record.
  • AF Form 3899 series variants (e.g., 3899H for neurological assessment, medication records, etc.).
  • Other mission management forms like AF Form 3858 (Mission Offload Message).

Key governing documents:

  • DAFI 48-107V1 — En Route Care and Aeromedical Evacuation Medical Operations.
  • DAFI 48-107V3 — Additional guidance on forms usage.
  • AFI 10-2909 — Air Evacuation Equipment Standards.
  • DoDI 6000.11 — Patient Movement.

For the most current guidance, visit the official Air Force e-Publishing website.

Why Proper Use of AF Form 3894 Matters?

In aeromedical evacuation, minutes matter. Accurate inbound notifications:

  • Reduce delays in patient handoff.
  • Ensure specialized equipment and trained personnel are ready.
  • Improve outcomes for critically injured or ill patients.
  • Support overall readiness of the Air Force Medical Service and the joint patient movement enterprise.

Whether supporting operations from a stateside base or a forward-deployed location, mastering this form contributes directly to the mission of delivering world-class en route care.

Download AF Form 3894

Official Fillable PDF:
Download AF Form 3894 – Aeromedical Mission Inbound Notification

Note: Always verify you are using the most recent version available on e-Publishing. Forms are subject to periodic updates.

Need More Help?

  • Contact your unit’s Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron or Patient Movement Cell for training.
  • Review full instructions in DAFI 48-107 volumes.
  • For questions about patient movement policy, refer to your local Aerospace Medicine or SG office.

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This article is for informational purposes and reflects publicly available U.S. Air Force publications as of 2026. Always consult official sources and current instructions for operational use.