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CENTAF commander applauds Airmen's performance, dedication at Air Force Theater Hospital

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Mareshah Haynes
  • 332nd Expeditionary Air Wing Public Affairs
BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq --  The U.S. Central Command Air Forces commander and command chief had high praises for the Airmen manning the Air Force Theater Hospital during their tour here Jan. 26.

Lieutenant Gen. Gary North and Chief Master Sgt. Richard Small recognized several of the hospital's top performers and showed their appreciation for those doing key missions that keep Airmen alive and in the fight.

During his visit to the mental health clinic, General North gave a commander's coin to Lt. Col. Robert Campbell and Tech. Sgt. Angelique French in recognition of their work in helping Airmen at Balad deal with the stresses of working in a deployed environment.

The general was also able to give his coin to Staff Sgt. Mathew Kurian, the current Tuskegee Airman of the Week, and Staff Sgt. Francisco Dorantes, who are both 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group biomedical equipment technicians. Sergeant Kurian was lauded for his invention that helps wheelchair-bound patients move from their beds to their chairs by themselves.

Airmen from the medical group were quick to show their appreciation to the general for taking time to tour their facilities.

"It was an honor to meet someone of that caliber and to know that he genuinely cares about the health and well-being of his Airmen," said Staff Sgt. Gary Messer, a 332nd Expeditionary Air Medical Squadron bioenvironmental technician.

The CENTAF commander also thanked many of the Soldiers who work side by side with Airmen in the hospital. In particular, he visited personnel assigned to the veterinary clinic, who are responsible for providing health care to military working dogs in theater.

When General North asked about the hardest surgery the veterinary clinic had performed, U.S. Army Capt. Matthew Johnson, veterinarian, recounted an incident about an MWD named Diesel.

The dog suffered a gunshot wound to the shoulder, which shattered his shoulder blade, and lost a moderate amount of blood, Captain Johnson said. "We performed reconstructive surgery on the shoulder and he was walking again within 72 hours."

Before departing the base to check on his Airmen in other parts of the region, he explained the importance of the mission all Airmen are doing today in support of the Global War on Terror.

"The Air Force Theater Hospital provides the service every military person has come to expect and respect," General North said. "If it wasn't for the men and women who staff it, people wouldn't have the confidence to do their jobs and know they'll get the treatment they need if they should get hurt."

"The mission they're doing is incredibly important for Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa," he said. "We can't fail. There are thousands of Airmen in the AOR (area of responsibility) and they're the best the Air Force has ever had. There has been no time like now, where our skill sets have been more important. Document lessons learned and pass that combat experience off to Airmen who are coming into the AOR."