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Flying flags helps wounded warriors

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Brendan Kavanaugh
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  When people think of the Wounded Warrior Program, many think of stateside events and agencies helping severely wounded service members reintegrate into civilian life.

The Wounded Warrior Program at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing is making a difference throughout the area of responsibility in Southwest Asia by assisting wounded veterans who come to the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group Clinic. Helping make that difference are the men and women of the 37th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit, deployed from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D.

In a small ceremony held Jan. 1, Master Sgt. Jerry Washburn, 379th EAMU, presented the 379th EMDG, Intra-Theater Care Program with a check for $2,000. The donation will provide morale, welfare and recreation support for Wounded Warrior patients recovering from injuries and surgery at the 379th EMDG.

Since 2008, the 37th EAMU has also been taking requests for flags to be flown on B-1 bomber missions. In return, the unit accepts any donation if it's offered. Donations are never solicited.

"It's our way of giving back to the ones on the frontlines as they transition either back to their units or back to their home station," Washburn said. "We like to do whatever we can to accommodate or make it easier for them while they're here."

The ITCP is unique to the 379th AEW; it keeps injured Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines in the AOR without having to send them home and short-tasking another to backfill their position. The injuries range from broken bones, bone spurs, and hernias to other non-life threatening injuries.

"The donations help the patients, in the ITCP, with morale events such as pizza night, or supply them with items they may have forgotten like razors and towels," said Staff Sgt. Mark Paguio, NCOIC of the 379th EMDG ITCP. "It's a force multiplier to treat and rehabilitate injured service members then return them to their units back in the AOR."

To request a flag to be flown, contact 379th EAMXS/B-1 EAMU at 436-6303.