Medical civil affairs team 'ambassadors of goodwill'

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Debra Clayton
  • U.S. Central Command Air Forces Public Affairs
CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti (AFNEWS) --  Because of the war on terrorism, many military members carry weapons for self-defense. But their mission is really one of peace, to improve the life of those who exist in a harsh environment.

The 350th Functional Specialty Team, which includes four Air Force medical specialists and nine U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers, is doing its part to improve living conditions for the people of Africa. The team's civil affairs mission focuses on two main areas: medical and public works capabilities throughout this region of Africa.

"Our mission is to assess the infrastructure of the countries of interest and direct missions through the Joint Staff and two civil affairs companies currently assigned," said Senior Master Sgt. Dawn Fruits, an independent duty medic and paramedic, deployed from MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.

Other Airmen on the team include Lt. Col. Lance Rodgers, a medical services officer also from MacDill AFB; Maj. David Torres, a bioenvironmental engineer and Maj. Pauline Lucas, a public health officer, both deployed from Brooks City Base in San Antonio.

Sergeant Fruits received a Joint Meritorious Service Medal for rendering emergency medical aide to a Djiboutian who was critically injured after being struck by a truck. She administered intravenous fluids, stabilized the patient and directed other team members until an ambulance arrived.

"It is our responsibility as medics and humans to stop and help when someone is in need," the paramedic said in reference to her life-saving actions.

The specialty team's recent travel took them to Jaribuni, Kenya, to conduct a medical civil action program or MEDCAP, where they saw 4,000 patients in two days. They also did a site survey in Djibouti's most northern region, to assess medical facilities, population health status, training and equipment needs.

"These people have absolutely nothing," said Sergeant Fruits. "Some of them have never seen their own country's money. In most of the villages some of the people may have flip flops but most are barefooted, and this is pretty rough terrain.
"In one village, the babies and small children had no clothes, yet these people are so grateful to us for whatever help we can provide. One village offered us a baby goat. That is their livelihood."

Whether rendering emergency care to an accident victim or serving as a subject matter expert on particular issues affecting an African village or province, the team members are serious about their job as 'ambassadors of goodwill.'

"Members of our team can diagnose particular issues," Sergeant Fruits said. "For example, we could use our public health team member to assist with curriculum development for a village school to alleviate the outbreak of cholera.

"In conjunction with that our team could coordinate with the task force well-drilling team to provide a new and safe water source," she said.

The funding for the new water source would come from the U.S. Agency for International Development, America's civilian overseas agency which works in conjunction with the military to improve economic and humanitarian assistance in the region.

"Our team would work with USAID to help coordinate whatever resources were needed," she said.

To prepare for this deployment, other than possessing the required medical skills, the Air Force team began their spin up training by attending a month-long warrior transition course in Santa Fe and White Sands, N.M.

"This course is the alternative to Army Basic Training for those prior services Navy and Air Force who are going 'blue to green,'" Sergeant Fruits said. "We trained on various weapons from standard Air Force weapons to M-240, M-249 and M-203 grenade launchers. We completed bayonet training, threw live grenades and spent several days learning and applying hand-to-hand combat skills."

The training didn't stop there. The medical team was then sent to Fort Bragg, N.C. for another three months to begin the mobilization process.

"Here we re-trained on the weapons, various radio systems, convoy operations, room/building clearing, gas chamber, day/night land navigation and more," said Sergeant Fruits.

Chances are the team members will never use all their Army training on this particular mission, but as Lt. Gen. Gary North, U.S. Central Command Air Forces commander would say, "Non-kinetic rounds are the most effective weapons we can use toward winning hearts and minds." 


Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link)

Click here to view the comments/letters page