Radiology team provides critical care for battlefield injuries

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alice Moore
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq (AFNEWS) --  In a combat zone, determining the proper medical treatment for battlefield injuries can be a matter of life or death.

The 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group Radiology Flight ensures fast and accurate image production and interpretation are conducted so patients receive the right care.

"Radiology deals with imaging the entire body," said Maj. Robert Jesinger, the 332nd EMDG radiology flight commander deployed from Travis Air Force Base, Calif.

Major Jesinger said some typical radiology work done by members of the flight includes computed tomography, called CT, radiographs, X-rays and ultrasounds.

Ultrasounds involve sound waves used to create images. CTs are composed of three-dimensional images used to detect problems that two-dimensional X-rays can't find.
The radiology procedure depends on the type of injury that comes in, Major Jesinger said.

"For example, we would perform an X-ray on a patient who has an ankle injury," he said. "A patient who has pelvic pain would have an ultrasound done."

Although the flight's first priority is to provide services to trauma patients, they also see patients who need follow-ups and outpatients, Major Jesinger said.

When patients arrive at the Air Force Theater Hospital with battlefield injuries, the team performs their procedures as quickly as possible. It is then a diagnosis is made so the patient can be treated before being evacuated for further medical treatment.

Because the flight has such a vital mission, Major Jesinger said there's no room for errors.

"Half of our job is ensuring the images we produce are done as accurately as possible," he said.

"The challenge comes with seeing more traumas here then we'd see back at home station," said Senior Airman Julie Stewart, a radiology technologist also deployed from Travis AFB.

Airman Stewart said despite the typical challenges of a deployed environment, there are aspects of her job here she finds rewarding.

"I feel like I'm really doing what I'm trained to do here. We're involved in just about every trauma here," she said. "I really feel like I'm helping."

The flight usually has to perform multiple exams at any given time. The total joint force flight operates with several Air Force and Army members, which includes radiology physicians and radiology technologists. Army technologists are associated with the Army's head and neck team.

"It's great working with the Air Force," said Army Pfc. Daniel Salas, a 53rd head and neck team deployed from Fort Lewis, Wash. "We work well together as a team."

Since the mission in Iraq does not stop, the radiology staff does not either.

"We work very hard to provide good service," Major Jesinger said. "We're service-oriented so that patients can get the care they need as quickly as possible."

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