CASF not just about patient movement

Published March 23, 2010
By Senior Master Sgt. Stefan Alford
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- (Editor's note: This is the first of a two-part series dealing with Joint Base Balad's aeromedical evacuation mission)

While onward patient movement to expedite treatment of physical injuries is a vital mission of the Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility staff, the patient care while in transit can be just as critical for the emotional healing of a wounded warrior.

"Some are depressed, some are angry they have to leave, some are just tired and a little edgy," said Senior Airman Noelle Blackbourn, a medical technician with the 332nd Expeditionary Aeromedical Squadron's CASF. "There is still a lot of anxiety for some because they are in the middle of their travels and a lot of unknowns are ahead of them."

The CASF is an intermediate stop for patients requiring a level of care beyond what the Air Force Theater Hospital here can provide. Most patients are stabilized, prepped and flown out within 24-72 hours - usually to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany.

"With everyone, we just try to create a friendly, relaxed environment," said Airman Blackbourn, one of 14 Reservists deployed from the 914th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, Niagra Falls, N.Y. "We have a mental health doc and technician on hand, so if they need professional help they can go there. Otherwise, we are really just filling a friend role by listening. Humor and smiling always help ... with us, it is all about them and what they need."

The staff's interaction with their charges is certainly not lost on the patients.

"They are very caring and compassionate," said U.S. Army SPC John Checchia, a turret gunner with the 114th Military Police Company from Forward Operating Base Marez at Mosul. The soldier was laid up with a torn anterior cruciate ligament when his knee gave out on him as he was climbing into his vehicle.

"This is like the Hilton of Iraq," he joked, "with food being brought to us. It's nice to see the Air Force really cares about the Army and other services. It's been awesome just to be able to talk openly with the staff here."

While the opportunity for patients to speak candidly about their health concerns and other issues can help set their minds at ease, the dialogue is also rewarding for the CASF staff, who view it as a simple way to give a little reassurance to those they refer to as "the real heroes."

"I don't see us as counselors," said Tech. Sgt. Jacqueline Smoak, a Reserve medical technician from Beale Air Force Base, Calif., and native of Olivehurst, Calif. "I see myself as more of a colleague who also provides medical care. I approach it with the 'what if that was me' attitude. I interact with them the same way I would want them to if the roles were reversed. We are all on the same team.

"We had a young patient come in who was really worried that because of what happened to him, his career might be over," Sergeant Smoak recalled. "He was only 18 and had planned on doing the full 20 years in the military. He asked me what I knew about disqualifying conditions as the medtech at his FOB said he might be kicked out. I told him what I knew of the evaluation process and who he should contact at his home station for advice. I think I was able to give him enough guidance that he felt more confident to face what was coming. His disposition changed. He became more upbeat (and) started playing cards and basketball with the other patients. It was really rewarding for me to see that (because) it broke my heart to see someone so young be so stressed with his future."

One Niagra Falls Reservist who has seen the joys and sorrows associated with the job is Tech. Sgt. Katherine Eagen. It's her third deployment as part of the CASF team at Balad.

"I volunteered to come back because I love the mission we do," said the North Tonawanda, N.Y. native, who was here in 2006 and 2007. "I like that we help reunite our heroes with their loved ones so they can begin the healing process. The heroes do their part on their convoys and clearing buildings trying to rid the ones who terrorize the rest of us while sacrificing themselves. I feel like the CASF is a tiny part in this gigantic picture, but I know they wouldn't make it home without us and that means a lot."

The biggest change that Sergeant Eagen has seen from her previous deployments is the decrease in patients travelling through the air evac system as U.S. troops have pulled out of the cities and turned policing roles over to Iraqi forces.

"The other change, which goes with the first, is the types of injuries that are occurring," she said. "(My) first two deployments consisted of battle-related injuries, like IED (Improvised Explosive Device) blasts, mortars, direct and indirect fire, and vehicle rollovers. (Now) there is an increase in medical issues, such as appendectomies, gall bladders, cardiac-related problems and sports injuries. There are also a higher number of psychological problems, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from being deployed multiple times, suicide attempts due to the inability to cope, and chemical or substance abuse."

Whatever ailments bring a patient through the CASF, however, the level of personal care and attention they receive from the staff is an important part of their transition and healing process.

"They really appreciate the smallest things we do for them, from providing them with clean clothes from the donated supplies to helping them achieve a comfortable pain level. They are so gracious," said Col. Cecilia Sutton, the CASF flight commander deployed from the 96th Medical Group at Eglin AFB, Fla. "It is our honor and privilege to serve them."