Page 9 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt July 1 2016
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Thunderbolt News July 2016 9
http://www.luke.af.mil Facebook.com/LukeThunderbolt
PEOPLE ing to the Department of Health and Human cine, explains that Aedes mosquitoes primar- The group’s leadership aims to improve
FIRST Services. However, 80 percent of this popu- ily transmit Zika. Unlike other mosquitoes, processes and programs across ve pillars:
lation does visit a primary care manager at Aedes mosquitoes are aggressive day biters recruiting; manpower and leadership;
Editor’s Note: The “People First” section is least once a year.An Air Force program seeks but can also bite at night. equipment; infrastructure; and curriculum.
compiled from information from the Air Force to bridge this gap by providing behavioral The effort starts with successful leadership
Personnel Center, TRICARE, 56th Force Sup- health care in a primary care setting. Almost all cases of Zika virus infection forging and developing Airmen for the
port Squadron, Airman and Family Readiness within the U.S. have come because of a mos- battle eld, Stenger said.
Flight, Veterans Affairs, the civilian personnel The Behavioral Health Optimization quito vector obtained through living and trav-
of ce and armed forces news services. For the Program integrates behavioral health per- eling in Zika-infected areas, the colonel said. “Much like when the Air Force separated
complete story, go to the web address listed at sonnel into primary care clinics to provide from the Army in 1947 to have Airmen lead
the end of the story. “the right care, at the right time, in the right “The number of countries and territories airpower, this allows battle eld Airmen
place.” Bene ciaries with behavioral health with Zika transmitted locally is growing. leaders to lead battle eld Airmen training
Test pilot school program concerns can seek care directly through their There are more than 45 now, including coun- across the entire enterprise,” Stenger said
accepting applications primary care manager. tries in Central America, South America, the about the group’s activation.
Caribbean, Asia and Africa,” he said.
The U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School is ac- Issues such as compounding stress can The group, a subordinate unit of the 37th
cepting graduate applications through July lead to depression, post-traumatic stress It is also possible for the Zika virus to be Training Wing, replaces the 342nd Train-
31 for the Air Force Institute of Technology disorder, or general anxiety disorders. Often sexually transmitted from males to females. ing Squadron and will lead ve new BA
in-residence engineering Ph.D. program. times, problems resulting in adverse mental Thus far, there have been no reported sexual training squadrons set to be activated later
health effects can be addressed by primary transmissions from female to male. this summer. The squadrons consolidate
The primary purpose of the program is to care providers through the support of behav- and organize already existing training
ensure the TPS curriculum and research pro- ioral health services. “The symptoms of Zika virus infection are courses under BA leadership. The units
grams re ect the state-of-the-art education in similar to dengue, another mosquito born include three pipeline squadrons dedicated
aeronautical science and to create a cadre of “We are there to address the concerns infection, and include fever, skin rashes, to each career eld; one instructor quali -
of cers who combine current ight test experi- that would have otherwise been brought to headaches and joint pain,” Oh said.“However, cation and prep course squadron including
ence with a high level of theoretical knowledge. the primary care manager,” said Maj. Eliza- unlike dengue, Zika symptoms are usually advanced employment training such as
beth Najera, Air Force Medical Operations mild, and many infected people don’t have military free fall; and a support squadron.
The TPS Ph.D. program is open to all Agency program chief. any symptoms.
active-duty Air Force of cers who meet the Overall, the group is spread across eight
eligibility criteria; interested of cers should For instance, when a patient suffering http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/ geographically separated squadrons and
also contact their Air Force Personnel Center severe headaches sees a primary care man- Article/790633/af-continues-to-monitor-zika-in- detachments in seven states, including:
core assignment team and obtain a release to ager, it is determined whether the patient
compete prior to submitting an application. needs to be referred to neurology or requires fected-mosquitoes-could-hit-us-this-summer.aspx • 350th Battlefield Airmen Training
additional examination from primary care. Squadron: initial entry course at Lackland
For eligibility and application instruc- BHOP visits function in the same manner New AF unit activated to
tions, search the keyword “graduate” on the and patients are screened to help identify train elite combat Airmen • 351st BATS: pararescue training course
myPers website. the right level of care. at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico
For the rst time in its history, the Air
For more information about Air Force http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/ Force on June 2 activated a unit solely • 352nd BATS: combat control/special
personnel programs, go to the myPers web- Article/793322/af-program-increases-access-to- dedicated to train the service’s ground com- operations weather training course at Pope
site. Individuals who do not have a myPers ponent at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Army Air eld, North Carolina
account can request one by following the behavioral-health-care.aspx
instructions on the Air Force Retirees Ser- The unit addresses the growing need for • 353rd BATS: tactical air control party
vices website. AF continues to monitor Zika, “ fth-generation warriors” who integrate air training course at Lackland
could hit U.S. this summer and ground operations on the joint battle eld.
http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/ • Detachment 1, BATG: training support
Article/794459/test-pilot-school-phd-program- As the threat of infected mosquitoes reach- “Our mission at the Battle eld Airmen squadron at Lackland
accepting-applications.aspx ing the U.S. climbs, the Air Force continues to Training Group is to select, train and mentor
closely monitor the emergence of Zika virus Airmen for global combat operations,” said The activation of the group and the
Program increases access infections to help inform and protect Airmen Col. Ronald Stenger, the group’s inaugural squadrons also aims to reduce costs and
to behavioral health care and their families. commander and special tactics of cer. “We increase ef ciencies across the pipeline
will breed quiet professionals, infused with to produce highly qualified battlefield
Nearly half of people with a treatable The World Health Organization declared a warrior ethos and fueled by scholarship Airmen. Now, trainees will permanently
behavioral health disorder do not seek help Feb. 1 that the Zika virus is a public health and innovation.” move from one unit to another as they
from behavioral health professionals, accord- emergency of international concern. Accord- complete training required by each in-
ing to the Centers for Disease Control and Members of the group will consolidate dividual squadron. Previously, a trainee
Prevention, all at-risk communities should and streamline training for the Air Force’s would return to Joint Base San Antonio,
prepare for possible Zika activity. conventional and special operations ground which served as the hub between attending
forces. These ground forces include combat their lengthy schools.
Col. (Dr.) John Oh, the Air Force Medical controllers, pararescuemen, special opera-
Support Agency’s chief of preventive medi- tions weathermen and tactical air control http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/
party Airmen. Article/790991/new-af-unit-activated-to-better-
train-elite-combat-airmen.aspx
4.25” AD SPACE
