Operation Lone Star underway

  • Published
  • By Dagoberto Garza
  • 147th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs
ELLINGTON FIELD, Texas (AFNS) --  Operation Lone Star, which provided health care to more than 11,000 South Texas residents in just two weeks last year, has expanded this summer to provide free health clinics in even more locations.

Military personnel, state and county officials and hundreds of volunteers are providing free health services from July 27 to Aug. 7 at locations in Brownsville, Raymondville, Lasara, San Juan, La Joya, Laredo, Hebbronville, Rio Grande City and Zapata this year.

The two-week event is a joint project of the state health and human services agencies, Texas State Guard, Army and Air Force National Guard, county health departments, local service groups and civilian volunteers. Operation Lone Star covers seven counties and, according to state officials, is the largest humanitarian effort of its kind in the United States.

"People turn out for free medical services and we also tell them about state programs that will provide year-round access to health care," said Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Albert Hawkins. "Operation Lone Star provides us with an excellent way to reach out to Texans who can benefit from our services."

State health and human services workers are distributing information about health and wellness programs to prevent substance abuse, help people with disabilities and protect vulnerable children and adults. Local nonprofit organizations also have staff available to provide information about their services.

"Every year, we see thousands of people along the border take advantage of this program," said Leonel Vela of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. "For some, it may be their only visit with a doctor all year. That means the information about state services could ultimately be as important to these families as the medical care they receive."

Operation Lone Star also serves as a way for state and local officials to train for a medical emergency. Setting up the two-week, multi-site clinics becomes a real-time exercise on how to respond to a public health crisis.