New contingency aeromedical staging facility opens

  • Published
  • By By Tech Sgt. Mark Getsy
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  The “gateway” for patients awaiting transportation to Germany just got a little better when the 386th Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility staff opened the doors to their new facility. 

The state-of-the-art facility, which opened Nov. 23, now offers patients a more comfortable environment to relax after serving their country in combat throughout the area of responsibility. 

The CASF, one of two in the AOR, is designed to accommodate patients for 24 to 72 hours before being airlifted to Germany for other medical care. The 39-member CASF team includes four doctor, seven nurses, 17 nurse technicians and 11 administrative and support personnel. Their mission is to continue medical care and ensure the patients are stable so they can be airlifted. Since its activation in June 2004, the CASF has cared for more than 3, 700 patients. 

According to Lt. Col. Joe Kennedy, 386th CASF commander, the new facility is designed to hold 25 patients with a surge capability of approximately 50 patients. Additionally, the 9,900-square-foot facility is nearly double the size of the old tent-based facility. 

“The new CASF will be very spacious for the patients as well as the staff,” said the colonel. “It’s nice to have a permanent building which will be much cleaner and quieter than the old tent.” 

According to Senior Master Sgt. Anthony Weary, CASF superintendent, the new CASF offers a variety of advantages over the old facility, especially when it comes to dust. 

“It will be much easier to control the dust and keep this facility clean,” said Sergeant Weary. “In the tent, the wind would kick up the dust and would cause us problems. Now, we will be able to provide a much cleaner environment for our patients.” 

Another major change is indoor plumbing. Patients will now be able to use the restroom or shower without being assisted to outside facilities. 

Sergeant Weary said the new facility will also have a large indoor storage area. In the past, the staff would retrieve supplies from an outdoor storage area. Now, they will have everything they need within the same facility. 

“The new facility is absolutely wonderful,” he said. “When the patients come through the doors, they won’t believe they are still in the desert. We feel this place will be like a hotel for them compared to the field conditions they are used to living in. Small things like this all lead to better patient care.”