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Operational Support Team embeds into 36th Airlift Squadron

  • Published
  • By Ryu Moore
  • 374 Airlift Wing Public Affairs

The health and well-being of the Airmen who enable the 374th Airlift Wing’s mission is integral. To assist units with rigid mission requirements, a psychologist and a physical therapist from the 374th Medical Group formed the Operational Support Team, July 29, to provide curated support to units across Yokota.

The OST was made to anchor high-risk units who are exposed to frequent mental pressure, deployments, and high-levels of physical activity. The team of two provides focused care in preventing injuries and cognitive health issues.

The 36th Airlift Squadron is one of the first squadrons to receive the OST.

“We’ll embed with these at-risk units anywhere from four to six months to provide services, education and preventative training measures,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. David Poole, 36th Airlift Squadron OST chief physical therapist. “We get into the problems at the source without having to go through a referral process or anything.”

Through providing medical experts at the squadron level, the Airmen receiving these services are allowed greater accessibility to care in comparison to the conventional medical system.

“While we're here, we do whatever the units need us to,” said Capt. Brandon Smith, 36th AS OST clinical psychologist. “The benefit of a rotating temporary team is helping the units regardless of their mission. No matter the mission readiness elements, we flex to meet that need.”

Senior leadership in the 36th AS hopes that the embedded support will help Airmen by providing resources that allow them to remain physically fit and ready, prevent injuries and  continue the mission.