Doctor reports from field

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Darin Overstreet
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) --  Keeping in touch with family and friends at home is a high priority for many deployed Airmen, but Lt. Col. (Dr.) John Torres, or "Dr. John" as he is known back home in Colorado, goes a step further.

Besides being an emergency room doctor, Dr. Torres records a medical segment three times a week for “Good Day Colorado,” a local television morning news program.

"The main idea behind the segments (is) to keep people and their families healthy, both physically and mentally," said Dr. Torres, who is here for 30 days with the Air National Guard’s 140th Wing from Buckley Air Force Base, Colo.

"We're here to aid coalition forces (supporting) Operation Iraqi Freedom," said Dr. Torres, a flight surgeon. "Our unit provides combat air power to keep the ground troops safe and supply routes open."

To keep in touch with Colorado citizens who have become accustomed to his quick wit and plain language medical reports, he has continued to report via telephone interviews several times a week.

"The viewers have really appreciated the personal touch, and the local community enjoys hearing about how their loved ones are doing," he said.

With all of the media coverage of Iraq and surrounding regions, Dr. Torres said he feels it is important to give an Airman's view.

"Not everything that happens in Iraq is bad news,” he said. “It's refreshing to get out information about the good things we're doing, such as establishing schools, setting up medical clinics, providing security forces and much more. All of the Iraqi people I've come in contact with are supportive of coalition troops and are happy to have us here helping them rebuild their country."