Meds help sister service during annual training

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Wendy Lopedote
  • 916Tth Public Affairs Office
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE,N .C. --  The surf was definitely up for members of the 916th Aerospace Medicine Squadron during their annual tour in August.

About 30 of the wing's medical staff of various specialties traveled to Southern California to receive training at Naval Medical Center San Diego.

AMDS doctors, dentists, technicians and administrative personnel are required to stay current on certain training areas in their respective specialties. This sustainment training is part of the Readiness Skills Verification Program, said Senior Master Sgt. Tim D. Moreland, 916th AMDS Health Services superintendent.

Members trained according to their job specialty in a wide variety of subject areas such as lab and emergency room procedures, triage and wound care, medical readiness and casualty assistance, as well as field training and medevac procedures.

In order to get the required training for all of the different specialties that make up a medical squadron, units must go to the larger medical centers such as the NMCSD.
"A lot of bases now only have clinics and the training opportunities are minimal," said Moreland. "We basically need to go somewhere that has a hospital or medical center in order to get the training that we need to stay current in our AFSCs."

Some team members said the medical center's location made the sustainment training, which can be repetitious, a little more enjoyable.

"This is training that we have done many times before but that we still have to stay current on," said Master Sgt. Kamille J. Resetz, Immunizations noncommissioned officer in charge.

"It's just nice to be able to do it here," she said, while looking up at clear blue skies and a bright Southern California sun.

AMDS medical technicians even got to help out with the Wounded Warrior Program while there. They assisted in outdoor outings such as hiking and surfing.

"Some of the Wounded Warriors were amputees and even double amputees, but they got out there and participated," said Moreland. "It was a very rewarding experience for our folks to help with our war heroes."