U.S. Air Force medics train fledgling Afghan medical corps

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Oshawn Jefferson
  • U.S. AFCENT Combat Camera Team
KABUL, Afghanistan (AFNS) --  Airmen assigned to the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron here are teaching Afghan soldiers at the Afghan National Army Air Corps Command Air Corps Medical Service Clinic the skills necessary to keep their soldiers on the battlefield.

"The standards we are setting here are critical," said Master Sgt. Greg Peppers, the 438th AEAS Medical team lead deployed from the 43rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron at Pope Air Force Base, N.C.

"For the Afghans to take on more responsibility for their nation's security, their soldiers have to be healthy," he said.

Afghan medics, on average, treat 60 to 70 Afghan National Army Air Corp soldiers for various medical issues each week. The most common issues are dehydration, broken bones, frost bite, work related injuries, dental problems and colds.

For the four-Airmen medical advisory team ensuring these Afghan medics correctly treat patients is key to getting these Afghan soldiers back into the fight.

"For any military to be successful, they must keep their soldiers ready and quality medical care is a must," said Tech. Sgt. Misti Adams, a 438th AEAS medical adviser deployed from the 43rd AES at Pope AFB. "Our Afghan medics are working hard and improving their medical practices everyday to better serve their fellow Afghan soldiers."

Since this team's arrival in May 2009, improvements in the clinic include better accountability of medical records, a pharmacy, a preventive medicine program (the equivalent of public health for U.S. forces) and sick call. The clinic's newest capability was attained Feb. 15, when six Afghan medics became the country's first flight surgeons after graduating from a nine-month course here.

"Having trained flight surgeons is a huge addition for this clinic," said Sergeant Adams, a native of Chesapeake, Va., who served as one of the trainers for the course. "With the Afghans flying more operational missions, these Afghan flight surgeons will be vital to the safety and security of their soldiers."

The new Afghan flight surgeon will serve in the same capacity as their U.S. counterparts by giving pilots and aircrew health assessments prior to operational missions.

"We are building our future right now," said Afghan Col. Rasool Mayel, the ANAAC surgeon general, who also graduated from the flight surgeon course. "Our new skills are a great gift from our advisers. We are the first Afghan flight surgeons and it is a great honor."

The new flight surgeons will also be charged with developing aeromedical standards and keeping track of the medical needs of pilots in upgrade training.

"From my point of view, being able to treat our Afghan aircrews and pilots will save lives," said Afghan Col. Toryalay Sh-quraishee, the ANAAC clinic commander. "We can know if a pilot has high-blood pressure, had alcohol or lack of sleep. Knowing this will ensure that we always have the right people flying missions."

While Airmen and Afghans have met with many successes here, they have no plans on stopping. A new course is scheduled to begin in March to train ground medics in aeromedical skills. In addition, the newly trained flight surgeons will be distributed to forward operating bases throughout Afghanistan.

"We are making huge strides with our Afghan counterparts and the future is looking brighter every day," said Sergeant Peppers, a native of Louisville, Ken. "We have lot of work to do, but as long as we have a high-caliber of Airmen advising, and eager Afghans willing to do what is necessary to improve, we can do anything."