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8 Desert Wings January 22, 2016
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Biomedical Sciences Corps Appreciation Week 2
so they are not required to go TDY to get the training.
by Lt. Col. Corey Munro To become an Aerospace Physiology Officer (43A),
412th Medical Operations Squadron command
there is no set degree requirement. However, science
The Air Force recognizes the achievements of the degrees in fields like biology, biomedical engineer-
men and women who comprise the Biomedical Sci- ing, exercise physiology, human systems integration,
ences Corps by designating Jan. 25-29 as BSC Ap- kinesiology are preferred. We are required to obtain
preciation Week. continuing education units each year.
The BSC’s roots date back to 1917, when the Sani- Air Force photograph Bioenvironmental engineering team The Physical Therapy Clin
tary Corps was established to combat infectious dis-
eases, and the Army Medical Administrative Corps The 412th Medical Group Optometry Team. The Bioenvironmental Engineering team’s core mis- counseling services to our
followed three years later. sion is to advise commanders at all levels on health March 2016. The suicide pr
systems, people often think of aircraft, bombs/bullets, threats and necessary controls to ensure illnesses are AFMC with the highest com
In 1949, the Air Force Medical Service was officially computer software that interfaces with hardware, etc. prevented before they occur. In a nutshell, we are nual suicide prevention and
established. The Air Force Medical Service continued We study the most variable of all systems: the human health risk assessors focused on anticipating, recog- ings. Our aggressive respon
to expand over the next two decades and in 1965, the system. What makes human beings better at what they nizing, evaluating, and controlling health hazards as- has resulted in a 67 perce
Biomedical Sciences Corps was born. do and what factors can negatively impact their per- sociated with the Air Force activities. the fewest DUIs in Air For
formance as well? 2015. Family Advocacy ha
Over the past 51 years, the BSC continued to ex- The Edwards BEE team has 28 authorized positions ships with community reso
pand its range of personnel to include a wide variety Here at Edwards, the aerospace physiologist offi- (five officers, 21 enlisted, and two civilian). In addition,
of medically-trained professionals. cer is a flight commander within the 412th Operations the Air Force Research Lab detachment has a civilian
Group supported by an enlisted technician, which is and enlisted member supporting their research activi-
To date, the BSC’s mission is to enhance Air Force typical at a base of this size and scope. In the future, ties. BEE officers require, at minimum, a bachelor’s
combat capability and effectiveness by providing we hope to grow our team since Edwards has so many degree in an accredited engineering field or certain
world-class customer service and scientific expertise, unique opportunities to study human performance. physical science specialties. Enlisted members com-
resulting in peak force performance, productivity, and plete rigorous specialty training at the USAF School
quality healthcare to our beneficiary population. We take ear impressions in order to make custom- of Aerospace Medicine immediately after graduating
fit hearing protection devices for our aircrew, which from Basic Military Training. Our civilian members
Comprised of 15 primary specialty codes, the BSC enhances their ability to communicate with each other must have prior experience in the BEE career field, or
is the most diverse corps in the Air Force Medical comparable educational/experience in the civilian Oc-
Service. Capitalizing on their breadth of expertise, the in flight. We also cupational and Environmental Health sector.
BSC motto is: United in the Mission. teach airsickness
management train- Our team supports a broad range of surveillance ac-
With 2,400 officers, supported by 5,800 enlisted ing in our spinning tivities at Edwards, the Air Force Research Lab site and
members in parallel career fields, BSC members can “barany chair” that Plant 42 in Palmdale. General program areas include
be found at 81 locations around the world and also in helps one’s inner Occupational Health, Environ-
multiple settings. ear adapt to three- mental Health, Radiation Health,
dimensional rota- and Contingency Response.
The BSC encompasses physical therapy, optom- tions. In time, we
etry, podiatry, physician assistants, audiology, speech will become more Aside from day-to-day pro-
pathology, clinical psychology, clinical social work, involved with gram responsibilities, BEE has
occupational therapy, aerospace and operational phys- wing safety and a significant role in the installa-
iology, dietetics, bioenvironmental engineers, public serve as Human tion disaster response mission.
health, medical entomology, pharmacy, biomedical Factors consul- BEE is a member of the emer-
laboratory, healthcare facilities architects/engineers, tants for flight and gency response force for a wide
and health and medical physics. ground incidents range of incidents and accidents,
and mishaps. We including natural disasters, air-
In addition to specialty roles within our medical Air Force photograph by Christopher Okula teach classes for craft accidents, hazardous mate-
treatment facilities, BSC officers are embedded within all types of aircrew rial spills, and terrorist/CBRN
operational units, serve at every level of medical com- on topics like hy- events.
mand, and lead on staffs of the major commands, For- poxia, hyperventilation, stress, fatigue, team dynamics,
communication, spatial disorientation and situational Mental health team
Bioenvironmental Engineering Team. awareness all in an effort to enhance their ability to The Mental Health Flight
cognitively process information and safely execute
ward Operating Agencies, and Headquarters Air Force. their mission in a dynamic flight environment. After stands ready to support the Ed-
Additionally, the Biomedical Sciences Corps is a mishap occurs, we are often called to serve as the
Human Factors representative on the Safety Investiga- wards Air Force Base’s mission
heavily invested in research and a host of other vital tion Board or the Accident Investigation Board. Since
roles to meet the demands of the Air Force mission. we are considered “regional” trainers, we also teach by strengthening the resiliency
classes at March Air Reserve Base, Calif., when re-
Please join me in recognizing the contributions of quested and we support the night vision lab at NASA. and well-being of all service
the Edwards BSC teams, who dedicate their lives to In the future we hope to develop an agreement with
improving health, maximizing performance, and pro- NASA that would allow us to utilize their Reduced members and their families as- Mental Health Flight, 412th Medical Group.
viding trusted medical care to support our most vital Oxygen Breathing Device to train our aircrew here signed to the installation.
resource, our Airmen and their families. Below is info
on all the BSC services here on base. Our team is composed of three Valley Hospital achieving i
psychologists, three clinical social workers, a psychia- cility certification, and incl
Aerospace, operational physiology trist, and nine technicians. All of our providers have prevention services board.
achieved a doctorate or master’s level degree and their
The mission involves Human Performance optimiza-
tion throughout the wing. When we think of weapons respective licensure. Two of our technicians have mas-
ter’s degrees and another recently completed her PhD. Optometry team
The flight is divided into three primary elements: The 412th Medical Gro
Outpatient Mental Health; Alcohol and Drug Abuse mary function is to provide
Prevention and Treatment (ADAPT), and the Family retirees, and dependents.
Advocacy Program (FAP). In addition, we lead the Providing vision care o
installation’s Disaster Mental Health Response Team, demanding mission with m
and Suicide Prevention Program. Our services include: mission requires a pilot to
outpatient counseling and psychiatric services, New glasses to fly a crucial test
Parents’ Support Program, 24 hour Command and security forces members h
First Sergeant mental health support and consultation, bearing arms and defendin
special duty evaluations, community outreach and re- always at the forefront, en
siliency training, PCS and deployment clearances, and Wing achieves mission suc
Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics Our team is qualified to pr
testing. are 70 years old with long
The Mental Health team is growing with the re- month old infant who cann
cent additions of a new psychologist and two new face. We also perform refra
social workers. We will be extending our outpatient post-operative care, occupat
