CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Maj. (Dr.) Marie Westphal is a member of the 437th Aeromedical Dental Squadron and has been stationed at Charleston AFB for more than a year.
She is currently deployed to Ramstein AB, Germany as a member of the Contingency Aeromedical Staging Flight as a flight surgeon. Major Westphal's responsibilities include meeting all aerovac flights inbound from the U.S. Central command's area of responsibility to be sure the wounded have their medical needs met and to clear wounded service members flying out of Germany to the U.S., making sure they can safely withstand the stresses of flight.
While stationed at Charleston AFB Major Westphal is the Flight Medicine Clinic flight commander who is responsible for the day-to-day working of the clinic, as well as meeting both flyers and their families' medical needs.
According to Major Westphal, what she likes best about her job is being able to meet the Soldiers that are fighting for her country and her freedom. She thinks the stories they share about their experiences are amazing to hear first hand.
This "warrior of the week" hails from rural Iowa and was commissioned to the Air Force almost 11 years ago. According to Major Westphal, while growing up in Iowa she was told "there were not enough cows to sell to put her through college and medical school," so she joined the Air Force.
Major Westphal does not just perform her duty while being deployed, but she has helped with multiple teaching opportunities at Ramstein AB, where she helps educate medical technicians.
"Dr. Westphal is entrenched in the aeromedical evacuation system at Ramstein AB," said Lt. Col. Pamela Smith, 437th Aerospace Medical Squadron commander. "Service members from both Iraq and Afghanistan who need additional medical attention stop at Ramstein before going to either Landstuhl Regional Medical Center or U.S.-based hospitals. She is actively involved in patient reception, supportive care, limited emergent intervention, and ensures patients are medically and administratively prepared for the stressors of inter-theater flights. At the busiest CASF, Major Westphal has touched the lives of hundreds of our wounded warriors."