Flight medicine keeps Seymour's aviators flying Published Feb. 19, 2026 By 2nd Lt. Jason Pannell 4th Fighter Wing SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- For the F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews of the 4th Fighter Wing, the readiness to execute the mission of “F-15 Airpower for America” is generated and sustained in the patient care rooms of the base’s Flight Medicine clinic. Capt. Luke Fennell, a 336th Fighter Squadron flight surgeon, listens to the heartbeat and breathing of a patient during a demonstration medical encounter at the 4th Medical Group’s Flight Medicine clinic at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Jan. 23, 2026. Flight Medicine personnel routinely conduct these physicals for all flight qualified Airmen to ensure their bodies can withstand the demands of flying missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Jason Pannell). Photo Details / Download Hi-Res The Thomas Koritz Clinic is home to a specialized medical team tasked with a critical role: Ensuring the human components of the F-15E are as maintained as the aircraft they fly. “We are here to ensure mission readiness from the medical aspect,” said Master Sgt. Sarah Thompson, flight medicine flight chief. “Aircrew must be in peak physical and mental condition before they step on the flight line.” The clinic's capabilities extend beyond those of a typical family health practice. While providing primary care for flight-qualified Airmen, the Flight Medicine clinic focuses on care that is tailored to the unique demands of aviation. This includes conducting special duty physicals, managing medical waivers for flight status, and responding to in-flight or ground emergencies. The physicians who conduct these tasks, also called flight surgeons, are medical doctors who specialize in treating the distinct physiological challenges that come with flying F-15Es at Seymour Johnson AFB. “Some examples of unique challenges to our flyers include things like hypoxia and decompression illness,” said Capt. Luke Fennell, 336th Fighter Squadron flight surgeon. “Special medical training from institutions like the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine help us recognize these issues and prevent them from occurring.” Flight Medicine Keeps Seymour’s Aviators Flying Master Sgt. Sarah Thompson, 4th Medical Group Flight Medicine flight chief, and Staff Sgt. Anicia Roberson, 4th Medical Group medical technician, checks the equipment required to tend to the acute medical needs of in-flight emergency or ground emergency patients outside of the 4th Medical Group at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. Jan. 23, 2026. Flight Medicine personnel at the 4th Medical Group train to respond to flight line emergencies within five minutes of notification for trusted and speedy care. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Jason Pannell). Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Flight Medicine Keeps Seymour’s Aviators Flying Master Sgt. Sarah Thompson, 4th Medical Group Flight Medicine flight chief, and Staff Sgt. Anicia Roberson, 4th Medical Group medical technician, demonstrates ambulance flight line response to an in-flight emergency or ground emergency outside of the 4th Medical Group at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. Jan. 23, 2026. Flight Medicine personnel at the 4th Medical Group train to respond to flight line emergencies within five minutes of notification for trusted and speedy care. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Jason Pannell). Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Flight Medicine Keeps Seymour’s Aviators Flying Technical Sgt. Samantha Rompalski, 4th Medical Group BOMC NCOIC, initiates an aviator’s depth perception test during a demonstrated patient encounter in the 4th Medical Group’s Flight Medicine clinic at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. Jan. 23, 2026. Flight Medicine personnel routinely conduct these physicals for all flight qualified Airmen to ensure their bodies can withstand the demands of flying missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Jason Pannell) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res With a shared understanding of operational mission demands at Seymour Johnson AFB, the partnership between flight surgeons and aircrews is also unique. “Being embedded with a fighter squadron is an incredible way to get involved on the operational side,” Fennell said. “To learn more about the physical tolls our flyers go through, I’ll be able to fly sometimes too.” Ready to spring into action at a moment's notice are the clinic's Flight and Operational Medical Technicians, or FOMTs. When they are not assisting flight surgeons with routine medical encounters, these Airmen are the first medical responders for any IFE or GE. Master Sgt. Sarah Thompson, 4th Medical Group Flight Medicine flight chief, and Staff Sgt. Anicia Roberson, 4th Medical Group medical technician, demonstrates the process of in-flight emergencies or ground emergencies response in an ambulance at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. Jan. 23, 2026. Flight Medicine personnel at the 4th Medical Group train to respond to flight line emergencies within five minutes of notification for trusted and speedy care. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Jason Pannell). Photo Details / Download Hi-Res “During an IFE or GE, we move fast,” said Staff Sgt. Aniscia Roberson, 4th Medical Group medical technician. “We grab the AED, get to our ambulance and get to the flight line in no more than five minutes from notification.” This sentiment captures the unique pressure and reward of the job. Technicians are certified as Emergency Medical Technicians and are experts in everything from basic life support to Tactical Combat Casualty Care. “We’re able to take care of patients inside and outside of a clinical setting,” Roberson said. “As long as we’re here, flyers can fly and the mission gets done.” By guaranteeing the health and wellness of every aviator at Seymour Johnson AFB, the Flight Medicine clinic ensures the 4th Fighter Wing mission is always ready to be accomplished.