News

Growing Air Force’s space medicine culture
January 30, 2019 — As space continues to play an increasingly critical role in our nation’s defense, the need for the space medicine specialty grows. Medical Airmen within U.S. Air Force Space Command are making sure space operators are ready for future readiness requirements. “Space is no longer a neutral, docile domain,” said Col. Walter “Sparky” Matthews, AFSPC Command Surgeon. “It has become a contested environment where many state and non-state actors actively seek to disrupt U.S. space capability.”... MORE

Medical Airmen assigned to U.S. Air Force Space Command are charged with delivering care to the Airmen who launch, monitor and operate the Air Force’s satellite systems. As space continues to play an increasingly critical role in our nation’s defense, medical Airmen in AFSPC are also preparing for the future of space medicine. (U.S. Air Force illustration)

How the Air Force got smarter about its aviation fuel use in 2018
December 31, 2018 — Did you know the Air Force is the largest consumer of fuel in the Department of Defense? This may not surprise you, if say, you’ve ever watched a sortie of F-35s complete an aerial refueling, or witnessed a C-5 lift (seemingly) effortlessly into the sky. In fact, the Air Force consumes approximately 2 billion gallons of aviation fuel annually – which is about 81 percent of the total Air Force energy budget (with about 17 percent used for facilities and 2 percent for ground vehicles). Operational energy, or aviation fuel, is critical to mission success – but getting fuel to the warfighter involves complex logistical and technical challenges, intricate planning, and more importantly, poses safety risks to the troops transporting it. As the battlefield becomes increasingly multifaceted, energy resilience is a top concern for the Air Force, and optimized operations are an essential component to maintaining it. ... MORE

A C-17 Globemaster III from the 14th Airlift Squadron, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., banks over the Arthur J. Ravenel Bridge in Charleston, S.C., during a training mission May 16, 2006. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Russell E. Cooley IV)

JB Charleston executes full-spectrum readiness exercise
November 19, 2018 — The 628th Air Base Wing, 437th Airlift Wing and 315th Airlift Wing teamed up for a total force rapid mobility exercise Nov. 12-17, 2018. The exercise focused on total force readiness, mobilization, base defense and quick-response airlift capabilities, according to Col. Rockie Wilson, 628th Mission Support Group commander and leader of one of the exercise’s simulated air expeditionary groups. ... MORE

Capt. Christopher Long, 315th Airlift Wing officer in charge of accessories, listens to a radio transmission during a readiness exercise Nov. 16, 2018, at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. To keep the training as realistic as possible, participants from across JB Charleston received the equipment, weapons and specialty uniform items they would use in real-world situations. The simulated scenarios enabled senior base leaders and subject matter experts to ensure the readiness of JB Charleston’s quick response capabilities.

Strengthening Trusted Care culture in Air Force medicine
January 30, 2018 — On October 26th, 2017, over 130 leaders across various health care organizations gathered to listen to Col. Christian Lyons and Lt. Col. Michael Fea speak on Trusted Care’s aim of positioning the Air Force Medical Service as a high reliability organization... MORE

The “Trusted Care” badge serves as a reminder for the entire U.S. Air Force Medical Service (AFMS) to provide exemplary patient-centered care at every level. In order to ensure the patient is placed at the center of their care, Trusted Care has teamed up with the Institute of Healthcare Improvement (IHI) to develop an effective training program. Training is aimed at fostering a culture of safety from front-line providers to senior leaders. (U.S. Air Force photo by SSgt Jensen Stidham)

Medically ready to be mission ready
January 11, 2018 — From periodic health assessments to regular dental exams, every Airman should know the importance of maintaining their Individual Medical Readiness (IMR) at all times... MORE

Air Force Col. (Dr.) Kimberly Pietszak, interim chief, Department of Quality Services, and assistant chief, Department of Medicine, examines Air Force Col. Patrick McCain at San Antonio Military Medical Center, Aug 26, 2015. Getting regular checkups are vital step in maintaining one’s Individual Medical Readiness and aids an Airman’s ability to support the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Corey Toye)

Bedrock of readiness: Air Force Medical Home improves access to care and supports Airmen readiness
December 4, 2017 — Air Force Medical Home is a patient-centered, team-based approach to delivering primary care to patients at Air Force health facilities. As with all aspects of the Air Force Medical Service mission, maintaining Airmen’s medical readiness and optimizing performance is the highest priority. To achieve this mission, the Air Force Medical Service is working to increase its health care capabilities, and provide greater levels of mission support to line commanders... MORE

Air Force Special Operations medics delivered care and rebuilt infrastructure after Caribbean hurricanes
November 29, 2017 — In the wake of the devastation left by Hurricane Irma this September, disaster relief efforts mobilized across the Caribbean as soon as the storm returned to sea. Small teams of Air Force Special Operations medics from the 27th Special Operations Wing were among the first disaster relief teams on the ground, executing a mission for which they are uniquely suited... MORE

Good mental health critical to readiness
November 20, 2017 — Mental health is a critical part of every Airman’s medical readiness. Although many service members worry that seeking mental health care will negatively effect their career, the opposite is usually true. With early identification and the right treatment by a medical professional, most mental health issues get better quickly without any negative career impact... MORE

Air Force pharmacists support deployed missions
November 15, 2017 — When most people think of pharmacists, they imagine a local drug store or the pharmacy counter at their military treatment facility. Those are common locations to encounter pharmacists, but many people might not know that Air Force pharmacists also provide critical deployed medical support, offering their medication expertise in deployed theaters around the world... MORE

C-17 aircrew members conquer in-flight AERPS training
March 17, 2017 — Three C-17 Globemaster III aircraft flew to North Auxiliary Airfield in North, South Carolina, March 15 to execute in-flight training with aircrew eye and respiratory protection system equipment, the first exercise of its kind in more than a decade for 437th Airlift Wing aircrew members. The training also marked the completion of the second phase... MORE

Capt. Jason Carroll, 15th Airlift Squadron airdrop instructor pilot, flies to North Auxiliary Airfield in North, South Carolina, March 15, 2017 to execute in-flight training with aircrew eye and respiratory protection system (AERPS) equipment. The flight marked the first time in more than 10 years where aircrews wore AERPS equipment. AERPS equipment consists of a rubber mask, multiple layers of boots and gloves, fan filter system and an audio and speaker system.