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Medics Keep 64 AEG Healthy, On Task

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. James Dowell
  • 64th Air Expeditionary Group
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  In the 64th Air Expeditionary Group, four medics work hard to keep the populace of the base healthy and on the job.

"The Medical Liaison Flight is tasked with a variety of missions," said Master Sgt. Heather Hodge, flight NCOIC. "These include serving as a liaison between the 64th AEG and a mission partner organization that provides our Airmen medical care. We also track immunizations, physical profile changes and referrals for advanced care off station."

Additionally, the flight provides food facility inspections for six eating locations, and teaches food handling courses, tracks animal bites and performs water testing for 800 facilities on base.

Factor in the need for each medic to be cross-trained in tasks outside of their normal specialty and the complexity grows. For example, there is no medical logistician on staff, but all the medics maintain the complex supply function to high standards. There is no bioenvironmental technician, yet public health technician Staff Sgt. DeSean Jones, NCOIC of public health learned how to test water samples.

"I was surprised but pleased to learn I'd have bio-tech duties when I got here," Jones said. "It's very precise work and I enjoy it."
Hodge said health and wellness is paramount to mission success.

"First and foremost, we keep the 64th AEG and our mission partners healthy, so they can perform their duties," said Hodge. "As medics, we have broadened our skill set in ways that we normally wouldn't get at home station or a larger clinic. And the leadership opportunities are second to none."

Independent duty medical technician Tech. Sgt. Oscar Salas said the deployment tempo to keep deployers healthy and on-mission provides him a unique opportunity to expand his functional capabilities

"The favorite part of my deployment to Eskan is being allowed to perform to the full scope of practice for my specialty," said Salas. "Being an independent medical technician comes with a lot of responsibilities and I am glad to shoulder them all in support my fellow Airmen."

Their dedication to service does not go unnoticed.

"The outstanding medical support provided by Master Sergeant Hodge and her highly skilled team of combat medics has enhanced patient care and a renewed cooperation between five different organizations across the 64th AEG," said Lt. Col. David Sieve, 64th Expeditionary Support Squadron commander. "I'm proud of their hard work and dedication to keep us healthy so we can execute our mission of 'fight the base.'"