Ramstein Reservist helps injured troops get home

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Bob Thompson
  • Air Force Reserve Command Pubic Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AFPN) --  "Home for the holidays" is a familiar goal for many military people, but not Tech. Sgt. Katheryn Bicker.

This Reservist from the 944th Fighter Wing at Luke AFB, Ariz., is forgoing her own holidays to help others in what she feels is the true spirit of the season.

"I don't think about it being tough," said the shift leader at Ramstein's 435th Contigency Air Staging Facility. "I focus on what are the patients' needs. Are they happy? Are they safe? And I work to get them home."

For troops injured "down range," Sergeant Bicker's unit is their first stepping stone out of combat and back to the states. Critical patients are transported to hospital facilities like Landstuhl Regional Medical Center up the road from Ramstein. Ambulatory patients, ones that can get around in wheelchairs or on crutches, come to Sergeant Bicker's 86-bed facility as a way-point on their homeward journeys.

"Since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom we've had about 29,000 patients come through our facility," said 1st Lt. Danishia Barton, Ramstein unit administrator.  "Our workload has peaks and valleys. We like it when we're slow and no one requires our services, but we're always ready."

In the afternoon, the ward had only four patients. By nightfall, there were 13. With 26 permanantly-assigned Airmen, the staff relies on deployed Airmen to do the mission. This includes 20 Reservists making up to 40 percent of the total force team.

"Depending upon what operations are going on in theater determines our workload," the lieutenant said. Despite times when nearly all 86 beds were full, the aeromedical evacuation experts try to get the patients enroute back home within 72 hours.

"This place gave me the warmest welcome I've ever received in the coldest country I've ever been in," said Electrician's Mate First Class Jason Garcia of the U.S.S. Tarawa. "It feels like family around here. It reminds me of home."

Injuring his back while doing mechanical work aboard his ship in the Persian Gulf, the sailor said this was his third deployment in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

"I hope to get better and get back to the ship to finish the tour," Seaman Garcia said. 

The patients come from all services. Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen are carefully assisted by the staff.

Scheduled to complete her 120-day deployment in December, Sergeant Bicker said that it is not so bad being away for the holidays.

"You feel the hurt every time someone comes in here hurt," she said. "They're worse off than me. My job is to help them complete their journey. My job is to get them home."