GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Tech Sgt. Rosalba DeLapaz, 74th Air Refueling Squadron medical element technician, fastens an intravenous fluid line for Master Sgt. Mike Morris, 434th Communications Squadron client systems technician, during a recent deployment to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey March 1. The deployers' teamwork and can-do attitude delivered world-class care so that troops wouldn't miss a beat. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jami K. Lancette)
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Tech Sgt. Rosalba DeLapaz, 74th Air Refueling Squadron medical element technician, tapes an intravenous tube to Master Sgt. Mike Morris, 434th Communications Squadron client systems technician, during a recent deployment to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey March 1. The deployers' teamwork and can-do attitude delivered world-class care so that troops wouldn't miss a beat. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jami K. Lancette)
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Tech Sgt. Rosalba DeLapaz, 74th Air Refueling Squadron medical element technician, checks on Master Sgt. Mike Morris, 434th Communications Squadron client systems technician, during a recent deployment to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey March 1. The deployers' teamwork and can-do attitude delivered world-class care so that troops wouldn't miss a beat. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jami K. Lancette)
by Senior Airman Jami K. Lancette
434th ARW Public Affairs
6/26/2012 - GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Getting a timely and efficient response from a healthcare organization can be a time consuming experience; however, this wasn't the case when it came to some of Grissom's finest during a recent deployment.
"It has been better here than anyplace I've been," said Lt. Col. (Dr.) Arden Anderson, 434th Aerospace Medicine Squadron flight surgeon who was assigned to the 39th Medical Group while deployed to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. "Everything has been done on a timely basis; if you need it now we can take care of it now."
Grissom's medical personnel fostered good relationships with the regular Air Force personnel, host-nation medical providers and Tricare that allowed them to take care of the deployers in a timely and efficient manner reflected in the excellent care that troops received, said Anderson.
"We had a serious last-minute surgery," he recalled. "He needed to be seen by an orthopedic surgeon that day, and (the local authorities and hospital) got him admitted to the hospital right then, that day."
And, their ability and willingness to work around the clock to ensure their patients received the total care they needed ensured they could complete their mission of providing air refueling to the fight.
"From MRI's to surgery, (local healthcare providers) provided transportation and translation to these visits," said Anderson. "They also kept in close contact with the patient and communicated back and forth to the medical squadron."
In the end, the deployers' teamwork and can-do attitude delivered world-class care so that troops wouldn't miss a beat.
The 39th MDG is part of the 39th Air Base Wing, which provides support and protects U.S. and NATO assets and people throughout Turkey while providing a full spectrum of capabilities to the warfighter.
Grissom is home to the 434th ARW, the largest KC- 135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Airmen and aircraft from the 434th ARW routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives.
