28th Medical Group trains for the future

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Zachary Hada
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  On the third Wednesday of each month 1 - 3 p.m., outside of the base clinic the 28th Medical Group trains personnel to better serve Airmen, family members and civilians.
 
During those hours, Airmen of the 28th MDG work to enhance their readiness capabilities and ensure proficiency on several key tasks such as the Readiness Skills Verification Program and Medical Contingency Response Plan.

1st Lt. Alicia Hogan, 28th Medical Support Squadron resource management commander, said the training was designed to provide a hands-on experience to refresh clinic staff on requirements needed to maintain mission readiness.

"It's nice to be able to go out and practice field training, especially with Airmen receiving less training than they used to," said Hogan. "This training helps make sure that our skills are more proficient in taking care of our patients and for preparing us for future deployments."

During training, Airmen practiced Self-Aid and Buddy Care, performed litter carries through an obstacle course, set up decontamination tents and loaded patients into ambulances. For most these capabilities are not practiced during their daily duties.

"It's important for Airmen to stay current on their skills," said Hogan. "Depending on what job they perform within the medical facility and for most of us when we deploy, we're potentially going to environments where we could be called to augment different teams."

Airman 1st Class Amanda Joyce, 28th Medical Operations Squadron public health technician, was a first time participant of the exercise.

"We're doing these exercises to be properly trained when we are called for duty, and it's reassuring to know that we can all perform any job needed of us," said Joyce. "It's interesting to get in touch with the war-time aspect side of the mission. When we're better prepared for the deployed environment, we can accomplish the mission more effectively."