Airmen deploy to Kunsan to practice medical skills

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alice Moore
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFPN) --  More than 60 reservists from the 944th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., along with 4th and 10th Air Force members and two instructors from Brooks City-Base, Texas, deployed to Kunsan Air Base to build an expeditionary medical system theater hospital facility in late October.

The Airmen will build up, tear down and operate the expeditionary medical system, or EMEDS, facility during the annual tour.

"This is a win-win situation for the reservists (deploying) here and Kunsan (Air Base)," said Col. Debora Esque, the 13th Air Force Reserve liaison.

"Kunsan now has a staff that can assist in validating both the medical reception plan and the (expeditionary site plan)," Colonel Esque said. "As for the reservists, they can train with real-world assets. These reservists are assigned to a standard air expeditionary force rotation. This gives them the opportunity to see, feel and touch real-world equipment and accomplish specific readiness skills, and unit type code deployment training. " 

The reservists will work with packages such as the hospital surgical and medical expansion packages, Colonel Esque said.

"Very few of the Airmen here have seen the (expansion packages) set up. This experience will provide them with the proper training for real-world situations," the colonel said.

The 8th Medical Group staff will also exercise its EMEDS capability.

"We're truly excited that we've been asked to do this," said Lt. Col. Katherine McMorris, the commander of the reservists deployed here. "We've done something like this before in other locations, and it's a huge compliment for us to be able to do this again. We're thrilled and excited to get going and to be working." 

Colonel Esque said she thinks the active duty and Reserve work well together by bringing different levels of expertise and knowledge to operations. Also, while here the deployed unit will provide formal training such as emergency medical technician, advanced cardiac life support and pediatric advanced cardiac life support training for active duty members near and around the area. Typically, this type of formal training is offered at other locations further away on the peninsula.

With two weeks of operations ahead, the Airmen are ready to get things started. 

"This is an exciting and unique opportunity. I've personally been looking forward to this," said Senior Airman Michele Johnson, a 944th Medical Squadron health services management journeyman. "This is a chance to do something different and a great chance to put all of our knowledge and training we've had to use." 

Airman Johnson, who served four years active duty before joining the Air Force Reserve, said her deployment to Kunsan AB will help prepare her for a possible deployment in the future. 

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