CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Staff Sgt. Erica Jones is a member of the 437th Aerospace Medicine Squadron and has been stationed at Charleston AFB for two-and-a-half years.
She is currently deployed to the Middle East working as an aerospace medical technician with the Army. Her primary duties are to care for patients in the intensive care unit and to provide emergency medical care during traumas.
While deployed, Sergeant Jones is the NCO in charge of her shift and is responsible for four enlisted members. Her responsibilities include ensuring the shift runs smoothly and improving any process that will increase patient care.
While at Charleston AFB, Sergeant Jones cares for military members in an Air Force aviation specialty code and their family members. Her responsibilities include assisting flight surgeons in tracking medical discrepancies and tracking the follow-up care. Also, she assists the flight surgeon in keeping the patient load flying to complete the mission. This includes tracking waivers to keep the pilot current and keeping Air Mobility Command up to date with the flyers' current health status, as well as assisting in referrals for medical care outside the military treatment facility.
According to Sergeant Jones, what she likes best about her job is the adrenaline rush.
"I don't like to see people come in severely injured, but I do get gratification in knowing that I made an impact on saving another person's life," said Sergeant Jones.
This "warrior of the week" hails from Maryland and joined the Air Force six-and-a-half years ago. Sergeant Jones originally joined the Air Force for the benefits she would receive for schooling, but after seeing the types of injuries service members returned from deployments with, she quickly realized that she was here to care for them and get them home to their families in the best health possible.
Sergeant Jones' future goal is to finish up her nursing degree in hopes in hopes of becoming a critical care air transport nurse.
"Sergeant Jones is currently deployed with the Army and is doing an outstanding job performing all medical capabilities," said Lt. Col. Pamela Smith, 437 AMDS commander. "Daily, she provides life-saving care and comfort to all our wounded warriors. Sergeant Jones is dedicated to her duties both deployed and in-garrison."