July 26, 2012 Flashbacks of War: Remembering Red Sand (a special PTSD commentary, Part 1) Like many, I was prepared to lay down my life for my country each time I shipped off to war. There were a few times when I genuinely believed the cost would be my life, but, sadly it's turned out to be much more.The sacrifices paid in combat can't be quantified in dollars or time, but are counted in
July 26, 2012 New eco-friendly WIT campus to provide world-class care to wounded warriors Construction is underway on a new Warrior in Transition Campus at Fort Eustis, which will greatly improve the recuperative process for wounded warriors assigned to the post's Warrior Transition Unit.Not only will the new complex provide extensive services for Soldiers, but it will take care of the
July 23, 2012 San Antonio health system among best in wounded warrior, trauma care During the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure commission hearings, it was suggested that the military should consolidate all health facilities in San Antonio to create the San Antonio Military Health System. The SAMHS was established after both the Air Force and Army chiefs of staff signed a
July 23, 2012 Air Force officials welcome 21st surgeon general The Air Force welcomed their 21st surgeon general as Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Thomas W. Travis was sworn in by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz on July 20 here.General Travis was the Air Force deputy surgeon general since Nov. 2010, and he replaced Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Charles B. Green, who
July 20, 2012 Air Force medical leader retires after 34 years During a ceremony filled with military tradition and reflection, the 20th surgeon general of the Air Force, Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Charles B. Green, retired July 19 after 34 years of service.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz officiated at the ceremony here where he stated that Lt. Gen. Green
July 19, 2012 Military dentists to train at new JBSA facility A new state-of-the art facility on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland that is dedicated to training military dentists in advanced specialties and serving as a worldwide referral center has officially opened its doors.During an early morning outdoor ceremony to avoid the Texas heat, military leaders
July 19, 2012 Synthetic Drug Abuse Prevention Act of 2012 On 10 July 2012, President Obama signed the Synthetic Drug Abuse Prevention Act of 2012 into law. This new law makes the use, possession or distribution of certain synthetic drugs illegal. Specifically, this Act added fifteen synthetic cannabinoids, which are commonly known as "Spice," and eleven
July 19, 2012 Bioenvironmental beats the heat While Grand Forks is famed for its harsh winters, summer temperatures can also be hazardous. To help keep Airmen safe, the 319th Medical Group's Bioenvironmental Engineering flight is on the job, tracking the heat index using Wet Bulb Globe Temperature readings. The heat index, found in Air Force
July 18, 2012 Staying active keeps heart healthy, prevents disease Staying active doesn't just help get or keep weight off; it helps lower the chances of getting weight-related diseases. It also can improve one's sleep, self esteem and ability to handle everyday stresses. Unfortunately, not everyone leads an active lifestyle and the consequences of an inactive
July 18, 2012 Luke officer saves drowning victim June 23 was just a normal day at the Balfour Beatty community pool on Luke Air Force Base. That was until one medical officer overheard a child say, "What's wrong with him; is he dead?"Capt. Andrew Hoeffler, 56th Medical Operations Squadron family nurse practitioner, noticed there was a child
July 18, 2012 Dental lab puts teeth into work The sounds of drills and suction tubes strike fear in many people, but in the 56th Dental Squadron, not everyone makes patients cringe.Members of the 56th DS dental lab work every day to insure the teeth on Luke Air Force Base are healthy by keeping them safe, rebuilt or repaired."Here in the dental
July 18, 2012 One Airman's journey to beating cancer, exceeding standards "I felt like I was in an improv acting class and the teacher just said, 'OK, today we're acting out extreme shock. You have cancer ... go,'" said Staff Sgt. Kristofer Sirks, 86th Communications Squadron systems control shift supervisor.In October 2011, Sirks found out he had cancer while deployed to
July 18, 2012 Airmen deliver compassion, medical care to Peruvians via mobile hospital An 11-year high school physics and chemistry teacher was struck by a second calling about nine years ago: to serve his country as a U.S. Air Force physician. He set out to become an obstetrician/gynecologist through the Health Professions Scholarship Program, always with the goal in mind of one day
July 17, 2012 Tricare Prime enrollment fees to increase Enrollment fees for military retirees will increase on Oct. 1 within the limits set by Congress last year.TRICARE Prime enrollment fees will increase for some retired military personnel and their families by 3.6 percent and for most by 17 percent starting Oct. 1.On July 2, TRICARE Management
July 17, 2012 LIVING WITH LUPUS: Spouse gets support from unit, family; passes it on It is 6:59 a.m. and you are half asleep, subconsciously knowing you will hear the sound of reveille in another minute. The song plays all over base and you hear it drifting in through your open window, but it's not the song that wakes you up.Sharp pain shoots through all your joints as you begin to
July 17, 2012 AF seeks medical commissioning candidates Interested officers, enlisted members and cadets eligible for fiscal 2013 Biomedical Sciences Corps training and commissioning programs can learn more during a world-wide webcast slated for July 18, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced.Webcasts, slated for 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. central time,
July 12, 2012 A nurse's story from Afghanistan In the darkness of the night a helicopter on a medevac mission flew across the hot, dry land of Afghanistan carrying a wounded Afghan in critical condition.U.S. Air Force Capt. Jennifer Mitchum, of Shaw's 20th Medical Operations Squadron a clinic nurse and flight chief at the Family Health Clinic,
July 12, 2012 Doctor provides life-saving medical care despite broken leg A 34-year-old critical care pulmonologist assigned to the 99th Medical Operations Squadron here went from needing rescue to providing emergency medical attention to a California Highway Patrol officer July 5 near Big Bear Lake in the Shasta Trinity Forest.Maj. (Dr.) Jeremy Kilburn, 99th MDOS