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AMC NCO manages healthcare support for deployed personnel

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  His day could consist of everything from providing immunizations to emergency trauma care, however Staff Sgt. Colin Stewart said he'll do "whatever it takes" so deployed service members have the best medical care available to them.

Sergeant Stewart, an aerospace medicine craftsman with the 380th Expeditionary Medical Group, said his job in the medical clinic of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia helps more than 1,900 deployed service members and personnel stay healthy every day.

"I help provide immunizations and medical care in the clinic, and at the same time can respond to in-flight and ground emergencies doing various procedures," Sergeant Stewart said. Those procedures he referred to include intravenous, or IV, treatment, various trauma care, wound care, emergency response, laceration repairs and cardiac issues.

"But one of the biggest things we focus on is preventative medicine," said Sergeant Stewart, who is deployed from the 779th Medical Operations Squadron at Joint Base Andrews, Md. "If people lead healthy lives, there's a significant decrease in the need for extended medical. So here in the deployed environment, we encourage our deployed people to adopt a healthy lifestyle."

Col. Kathleen Concannon, 380th EMDG commander, said medical Airmen like Sergeant Stewart are the difference-maker for the health of the troops.

"Medics are responsible for the health of the base, and whether it's healthy eating, enhanced wellness or a safe environment," said Colonel Concannon, "that's our responsibility and we're proud to do it."

Sergeant Stewart is trained in a plethora of medical skills. He is certified in first aid, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator use. He's also a certified self-aid and buddy care instructor.

According to his official Air Force job description, Sergeant Stewart 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.

In joining the military, the 10-year Air Force veteran said he's proud of what he does. Having been born in Jamaica and raised in Englewood, N.J., Sergeant Stewart said he's on the path he's always wanted to go down.

"I love the Air Force within that I like its structure and organization," Sergeant Stewart said. "As with anything else that I am a part of, I hope to leave my mark and do my part for future warriors to come."

As for being one of the medical Airmen who cares for thousands every day, he said he "loves it." And by being deployed, he said he's doing the right thing for those for whom he provides care and is thankful for having a part in the deployed mission.

"I'm doing some of what I have been trained to do," Sergeant Stewart said. "I always think it could be worse. So I am just appreciative of all the other military services in combat and all that they have done for our great country of America."

The 380th EMG is part of the 380th AEW. The wing is home to the KC-10 Extender, U-2 Dragonlady E-3 Sentry and RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft. The wing is comprised of four groups and 12 squadrons and 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 Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.