The new 332nd Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility opened Dec. 19 and will serve as a transition point for medical evacuations from Iraq.

Construction on the $850,000 building began in September.

"With the move into this new semi-hardened facility, we are continuing to improve the care we provide our wounded warriors," said Col. Elisha Powell, 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group commander.

The new facility, which is designed to hold up to 100 patients, enables the staging facility to serve two critical roles in theater.

"First, the primary mission of the CASF is to hold and stage patients for aeromedical evacuation," Colonel Powell said. "It is staffed by nurses, aerospace medicine technicians, physicians, life skills, dietary and pharmaceutical technicians. Together, these dedicated professionals ensure patients are prepared clinically and administratively for flight, care for them during their stay and then carefully load them onto aircraft for their journey to definitive care or home base.

"The second vital function of the CASF is to serve as a through-put valve for the Air Force theatre hospital," Colonel Powell said. "If these patients had to stay here at Balad until fully recovered, the footprint of the hospital would be forced to grow astronomically. If not for the CASF, the hospital's capabilities would be overrun in only a few hours' time due to the steady influx of war casualties."

To improve patients support at Balad, the new building features indoor latrines and showers. In addition, there is a patient breakroom with phones, computers and a television.

"The biggest improvement is the cleanliness of the facility," said Lt. Col. Teresa Millwater, a chief nurse. "Patients who are injured are at a higher risk for infection. Preventing infections will be easier, because there will be less dust and we have indoor hand-washing capabilities."

Moving from the old CASF to the new one took a large team effort.

"It took every bit of energy and sweat we had to get this place to come together," said Staff Sgt. Wilsondo Alteus, a medical technician. "We did the move in two days and it was worth it because this will improve patient care."

Colonel Powell praised the Airmen who conducted the move.

"They persevered through rain and mud, carrying weapons and wearing body armor as they moved their entire operation and still managed to care for patients and launch two missions without missing a step," he said.