AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar -- The 379th Expeditionary Medical Group is comprised of Airmen who play critical roles in maintaining operational readiness inside of the area of responsibility (AOR). Airmen whose goal is to continuously monitor the health and safety of the members stationed and deployed at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, in order to ensure we win today’s fight.
Staff Sgt. John Capasso, 379th Expeditionary Medical Support Squadron apheresis flight noncommissioned officer in charge, is one of the many medical Airmen who works to help members here and those who have been in hazardous situations around the AOR.
“As an apheresis technician, I draw and collect platelets, test the platelets and get the platelets to where they need to be,” said Capasso. “Platelets are vital for your body because they help stop bleeding caused by injury.”
Coming from his home station at Travis Air Force Base, California, Capasso shifted gears slightly from working in the core lab to specializing in apheresis work, which he says is a welcomed change.
“I enjoy the pace of my job as well as the challenge of working separate from the clinical side of the medical group, while still being able to contribute to the mission,” stated Capasso.
During his deployment, Capasso has been able to understand the full scope of how important his work really is.
“If we have people down range getting wounded, these platelets go towards helping save their lives,” he said. “Every day I have to operate at my very best or it could be disastrous. If one thing goes unchecked, it can be the difference between life and death.”
Keeping this in mind, he has adopted a personal goal and standard that he holds himself to every day.
“Every day I try to be the best I can because it’s the right thing to do,” said Capasso. “Everyday members depend on these platelets to save lives, so I have to make sure I execute every day."
As he continues his work, Capasso has set his sights on improving his position and ultimately his unit in order to ensure his brothers and sisters in arms have the lifesaving chance they need to stay in the fight and return home safely.