Prior to donating blood or bone marrow, air crew personnel shall obtain permission from who?

• A. Medical Officer
• B. Commanding Officer
• C. Flight Surgeon
• D. Chief of Mission Support

Answer: (B)

Aircrew must keep mission readiness as the priority, so the approval to donate blood or bone marrow comes from the person who owns the unit’s flight and duty readiness—the Commanding Officer. The CO is responsible for ensuring there are enough qualified aircrew available for missions and that medical activities don’t compromise safety or scheduling. While medical personnel such as a Medical Officer or Flight Surgeon can assess medical safety and provide clearance, the final authorization to donate lies with the CO who balances medical considerations with operational requirements. The Chief of Mission Support does not grant this kind of flight-readiness permission.