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Rock Solid Warrior: Staff Sgt. Rachel Gatto

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Name: Staff Sgt. Rachel Gatto

Deployed Unit: 386th Expeditionary Medical Group

Duty Title: Aerospace Medical Service Technician

Home unit/station: 88th Medical Group, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio

How do you support the mission here? I provide healthcare and patient transport in the Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility (CASF). In our 25 bed in-patient CASF we make the AE mission possible by providing medical support and patient movements to and from the flight line. We perform anti-hijacking procedures for the patients and their attendants prior to entering CASF and then prior to departing. With psychologically diagnosed patients, I am responsible for educating and teaching their attendants on proper restraint techniques. We also ensure patients receive personal care, meals, and medical care. As VNCO, I maintain our two Ambus vehicles, three ambulances, and six Gov's that we use for our missions. Lastly, my professionalism, positive mentality, patience, sense of humor, and personality put everyone into a better mood, comforts patients and helps us accomplish our mission.

Favorite movie: "M*A*S*H"

Favorite restaurant: Cracker Barrel

Favorite superhero: The Invisible Man

Place you would most like to vacation to or visit: Greece

Favorite actor/actress: Alan Alda

Favorite food: Chicken

Favorite musical group/musician/singer: Gary Allen

How many times have you deployed and what makes this deployment unique? Two times, this is my first deployment as a medical technician.

How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base? At Wright-Patterson AFB I work in the Family Health Clinic where we see a wide range and variety of medical situations with children, adults, and the elderly. Over here, I deal a lot more with emergency issues; 911 Calls and In-Flight Emergencies (IFE). All in all, I love what I do here and back at my home base, it truly gives me a sense of purpose.