Joint Base Andrews NCO supports medical ops at Southwest Asia location

Published Oct. 28, 2010
By Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Staff Sgt. Benjamin Bates is an independent duty medical technician, or IDMT, deployed with the 380th Expeditionary Medical Group, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia.

Sergeant Bates is deployed from the 779th Medical Operations Squadron, 79th Medical Wing, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. According to the Andrews AFB Web site, the 79th MDW is a mission partner on Joint Base Andrews, with two subordinate units, the 779th Medical Group and the 579th Medical Group.

A unique capability of the 79th Wing is seen in the 779th Aeromedical Staging Facility. The 779th ASF serves as the primary East Coast hub for aeromedical evacuation aircraft returning sick or injured patients from Europe to the United States for care, the Web site states. This is the busiest gateway in the U.S. for patients awaiting transportation back to their home stations.

As an IDMT with the 380th EMDG, Sergeant Bates helps more than 1,900 deployed service members and personnel stay healthy every day. A 380th AEW news report shows medical Airmen like Sergeant Bates provide immunizations and medical care in the clinic, and at the same time can respond to in-flight and ground emergencies doing various procedures. Those procedures include intravenous, or IV, treatment, various trauma care, wound care, emergency response, laceration repairs and cardiac issues. They also focus heavily on preventative medicine encouraging deployed members to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

According to his official Air Force job description, Sergeant Bates has to maintain mandatory knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology; nursing theory, techniques and procedures; team nursing; patient needs; and emergency medical treatment to include cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

He also has to know how to know how to operate and maintain therapeutic equipment; implement military hygiene and sanitation, risk management, contingency operations, disaster preparedness, and chemical warfare; and the transportation of sick and wounded.

The 380th AEW is home to the KC-10 Extender, U-2 Dragon Lady, E-3 Sentry and RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft. The wing's deployed mission includes air refueling, surveillance, and reconnaissance in support of overseas contingency operations in Southwest Asia. The 380th AEW supports operations New Dawn and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.