Aerospace medics look after Team Moody

Published Sept. 22, 2023
By Senior Airman Rachel Coates
23rd Wing Public Affairs

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --

When asked what a flight surgeon is, some may describe a doctor who specializes in medicine specifically for pilots. However, their career cannot be defined by only one practice.

Flight surgeons assigned to the 23rd Medical Group provide a multitude of services, such as educating patients on preventive medicine activities, assessing living and working environments to ensure healthy communities, and, of course, providing primary medical care for flyers.

“A lot of what we do affects the base as a whole,” said Maj. Jeremy Berger, 23rd Medical Group chief of aerospace medicine. “We’re good at being subject matter experts on health and wellness and being a liaison for units.”

Berger explained one aspect of their job as preventive medicine professionals is working with programs on base that provide Airmen with resources to maintain their health and fitness.

Physical activity goes a long way to staying healthy and ready to fight Berger expressed. The health promotion department conducts fun runs, helps with tobacco cessation and gives fitness tips.

A photo of medics squatting next to a person on a stretcher, or litter. — Aerospace medics look after Team Moody

U.S. Air Force Maj. Jeremy Berger, 23rd Medical Group chief of aerospace medicine, far left, and Capt. Matthew Monte, 23rd MDG flight surgeon, far right, place a patient on a litter during a training event Sept. 14, 2023. (Courtesy photo)

A photo of two people standing in front of a piece of machinery. — Aerospace medics look after Team Moody

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dustin Evans, 23rd Munitions Squadron armament support supervisor, left, and Maj. Jeremy Berger, 23rd Medical Group chief of aerospace medicine, inspect a bead blaster cabinet during a routine industrial shop visit at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, Sept. 15, 2023. In addition to conducting shop visits, flight surgeons like Berger provide primary medical care to aircrew and educate personnel on health and wellness. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Rachel Coates)

A photo of someone pointing to a drawer. — Aerospace medics look after Team Moody

U.S. Air Force Maj. Jeremy Berger, 23rd Medical Group chief of aerospace medicine, inspects a cabinet of consumable equipment during a routine shop visit at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, Sept. 15, 2023. These consumables are used for armament equipment inspections. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Rachel Coates)

Other resources provide health education and control measures for preventable diseases and injuries as well as guidance on nutrition, food service sanitation, water supply safety, sewage and waste disposal, immunizations, and more.

“We work with Public Health to conduct food and water vulnerability assessments to make sure we prevent anyone from ingesting something they shouldn’t,” Berger said. “It’s really important we get ahead of things by researching and investigating potential health hazards.”

Another part of a flight surgeon’s job is to support occupational medicine by conducting shop inspections for aerospace-based units - making sure they are following Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards.

“We go to different shops that have exposure to things like aircraft metals,” said Capt. Matthew Monte, 23rd MDG flight surgeon. “We’re making sure everyone is wearing their personal protective equipment and keeping the area clean.”

When at a higher level of exposure, Airmen may develop long-term health issues if they are not wearing protective gear and following strict procedures implemented for their line of work.

Flight surgeons also examine personnel to determine fitness for aircrew and special duty operators to recommend continuance, removal or return to flying status and aviation service.

A photo of eye protective wear sitting on a shelf. — Aerospace medics look after Team Moody

Reflective belts, goggles and eye glasses lie on a shelf during a routine shop visit at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, Sept. 15, 2023. Personal protective equipment is used to defend Airmen against potential hazards in their work center. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Rachel Coates)

A photo of two people standing next to a large piece of machinery in a warehouse. — Aerospace medics look after Team Moody

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dustin Evans, 23rd Munitions Squadron armament support supervisor, left, and Maj. Jeremy Berger, 23rd Medical Group chief of aerospace medicine, inspect a GAU-8 drum system during a routine shop visit at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, Sept. 15, 2023. During shop visits like this, flight surgeons like Berger will work with unit personnel to gain a better understanding about the overall health and wellness of Airmen in that unit. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Rachel Coates)

A photo of people standing next to triple ejector racks. — Aerospace medics look after Team Moody

U.S. Air Force Maj. Jeremy Berger, 23rd Medical Group chief of aerospace medicine, left, asks Staff Sgt. Dustin Evans, 23rd Munitions Squadron armament support supervisor, a question about triple ejector racks during a routine industrial shop visit at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, Sept. 15, 2023. In aerospace medicine, flight surgeons like Berger conduct shop visits to assess the health hazards in a unit’s environment. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Rachel Coates)

Both Berger and Monte explained that to help determine a flyer’s status, the doctors themselves are expected to complete extensive training and programs. They maintain their own flight hours to better understand the occupational stressors that may affect flyers physically.

“For example, we have the centrifuge chamber, that simulates high G-Forces that a lot of pilots encounter,” Monte said. “We really get to experience what they physiologically go through.”

Because of that, the flight surgeons will be able to understand the physical and mental toll that may wear on flyers, and in turn, be better equipped to evaluate members on flying status.

“We’re making sure everyone is fit to do the mission,” Monte said. “It’s not pleasant to have to pull someone from flying for a period of time, but it’s important if that’s what is needed for the wellbeing of the patient and the mission.”

So, while flight surgeons do focus on aircrew and pilots, is in fact true that what they actually offer impacts people far outside of just the flying program. They are imperative to keeping Moody fit to fight and ensuring everyday mission success.