Page 5 - Desert Lightning News So. AZ Edition April 2020

4 April 2021 Desert Lightning News Desert Lightning News April 2021 5
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563rd OSS AFE wins Headquarters Air Force award 355th MDG deploys to Texas for COVID-19 vaccine distribution

by Senior Airman
by Senior Airman Airmen essential gear for any situa- CheYeNNe A. poWeRS
JACoB T. STepheNS tion,” said Tech. Sgt. Hilary Wallace,
55th Rescue Squadron AFE section non- 355th Wing Public Affairs
355th Wing Public Affairs
commissioned officer in charge. “We are The 355th Medical Group was recently
Innovation. Teamwork. Leadership. constantly training, quality checking deployed to Houston, Texas, in support
Respect. These values are emphasized and trying to improve ourselves and of a Federal Emergency Management
by senior leaders of the Air Force and the processes as much as we are able. Our Agency and Defense Support to Civil
Department of Defense as they continue equipment supports aviators on their Authorities tasking.
to build a more lethal, ready force for worst days, so we have to be very precise This tasking is intended to have medi-
tomorrow’s fight. and meticulous with everything that we cal technicians from around the Air Force
These qualities are all embodied by do to ensure their safety.” help facilitate increased COVID-19 vac-
the 563rd Operations Support Squadron The team led the Air Force in many ways cine distribution in the Houston area.
Aircrew Flight Equipment section, who by continuing to train new tactics and “The 355th MDG has been tasked by our
was just named the Headquarters Air nation to support COVID-19 operations in
Force Outstanding AFE Small Program See AwARD, Page 9 the civilian sector as part of a FEMA and
of the Year. An Airman as- Defense Support to Civil Authorities task-
“It isn’t easy to support the rescue mis- signed to the 563rd ing,” said Senior Airman Emily Ochoa,
sion how we do because we are busy all the Operational Sup- 355th MDG unit deployment manager.
time,” said Senior Airman Brian Ramirez, port Squadron Air- “Medics will be on the ground in Houston
563rd OSS AFE troop. “We don’t have crew Flight Equip- to facilitate increased vaccination efforts
room for error in what we do. AFE has ment Flight per- to our fellow countrymen.” Photos by Senior Airman Cheyenne A. Powers
the slogan, ‘Last to let you down’, and we forms maintenance The medical group considers COVID-19 with other Air Force Medical Service “We appreciate your understanding and Airmen from the 355th Medical Group
have to make sure that everything is spot Photos by Senior Airman Jacob T. Stephens on equipment at a top priority, and Desert Lightning Med- personnel and FEMA directors, and ad- patience as we continue to prioritize CO- prepare to process through the per-
on because if we mess up, not only do the Staff Sgt. Cyrus Traulsen, 563rd Opera- Davis-Monthan Air ics are continuing to work diligently in ministering COVID-19 vaccines within VID-19 medical operations, readiness and sonnel deployment function line at
rescue guys not get to complete their mis- tional Support Squadron Aircrew Flight Force Base, March order to meet the health care needs of the 72 hours.” deployment clearances, and provide our Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Feb. 18.
sion, but it puts more people in danger.” Equipment Flight craftsman, teaches 9. The 563rd OSS community we support. The 355th MDG was one of several beneficiaries medical care in partnership The 355th MDG deployed to Texas is in
The 563rd OSS AFE has several Airman 1st Class Timothy Toston, 563rd AFE Flight was “The 355th Medical Group is honored medical units from around the Depart- with our network providers,” Parsons said. support of a Federal Emergency Man-
smaller elements to help support the OSS AFE troop, how to inspect a piece named the small to answer our nation’s highest call and ment of Defense that have been tasked to Due to the expected impacts to health care agement Agency and Defense Support
variety of missions that the 563rd Rescue of equipment at Davis-Monthan Air Force program outstand- help our fellow countrymen in the midst of support the distribution. This continued services, the 355th MDG encourages the use to Civil Authorities tasking. This tasking
Group hosts, to include five operational Base, March 9. The 563rd OSS enables ing AFE unit of the this pandemic,” said Col. Patrick Parsons, effort by the DoD highlights its commit- of alternate options to receive care, such as is intended to send medical technicians
squadrons and two different airframes. the 48th, 55th, 68th and 79th Rescue year at the Head- 355th MDG commander. “Our medics ment to the health and safety of not just the Nurse Advice Line at 1-800-TRICARE from around the Air Force to help facili-
“Our overall mission is to enable Squadrons to execute their respective quarters Air Force demonstrated immense professionalism uniformed members, but also their fami- (1-800-874-2273) and Express Scripts at: tate increased COVID-19 vaccine distri-
combat rescue forces by supplying the missions. level. by rapidly deploying to Texas, linking lies and our nation. https://militaryrx.express-scripts.com/ bution in the Houston area.

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