Volunteers play key role in OIF medical mission

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Marc Barnes
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) --  Providing medical care for the wounded warriors of Operation Iraqi Freedom means long days and nights for Airmen assigned to the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group here. But because more than 150 volunteers regularly give their off-duty time to lend a hand, the medics are getting some relief.

The volunteers help any way they can, from giving blood to standing guard, officials said. They were especially helpful during the recent Fallujah offensive, which left medical staffs at the Air Force theater hospital and contingency area staging facility stretched thin, said Col. Gregory Wickern, 332nd EMDG commander.

“During high casualty times, the volunteers have contributed by freeing my medics from entry control point duties and [by] assisting in patient movement and minor nursing care assistance,” he said. “The strong backs and arms of the volunteers significantly add to those of my medics.”

Lt. Col. John Lopardi, staging facility commander, said volunteers are vital in his clinic which doubles as a passenger terminal for patients who are being flown to hospitals outside Iraq. They allow his staff to focus on their primary duty of providing medical care, he said.

“Volunteers play an important role assisting our patients by serving meals, assisting them to and from restrooms, talking with (them) about their experience and letting them know how much they are appreciated for the sacrifices they made for the good of their fellow citizens,” Colonel Lopardi said. “When we were recently faced with an overwhelming surge of patients, I called for [additional] volunteers. The positive response (was) overwhelming. Within 10 minutes of the call, we had to turn volunteers away.”

One volunteer is so regular, that he has become part of the family, said Master Sgt. Nancy Peck, the facility’s superintendent and volunteer coordinator.

“(Tech. Sgt. Santo Salvatore is) willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done,” she said of the sergeant known simply as Sal to the staff and patients. “Whether it's loading litters, taking out trash, giving coffee to patients or anything else we need done, he's always willing to help. He's part of our family.”

Sergeant Salvatore is deployed here with other 436th Aerial Port Squadron Airmen from Dover Air Force Base, Del. An activated reservist, his home unit is the 85th APS at Hanscom AFB, Mass.; he became part of the 436th APS in January.

At Balad, Sergeant Salvatore works days in the 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Squadron’s aerial port flight, but he spends his evenings and one day off each week volunteering. The 54-year-old Airman spends 30- to 40- hours per week looking out for the “kids” he calls America's heroes.

He said his motivation for giving his time is simple.

“I'm doing this for the parents,” he said. “I'm a parent, and I can tell you no parent wants a call from their kid, or a call about their kid from someone, telling them their child has been injured. I'm here to do what I can as a parent for these kids. I understand their needs. I know how to take care of them as if I were taking care of my own child in the hospital.”