MUñIZ AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Puerto Rico -The Puerto Rico Air National Guard turns back time when it comes to doctor appointments as a team from the 156th Medical Group performs an old time in-home-visit to the 285th Civil Engineer Squadron based in the U.S. Virgin Island of Saint Croix over December 2017's regularly scheduled drill.
A seven –person medical team boarded a WC-130 Hercules for the quick 20-minute flight from Muñiz Air National Guard Base, Carolina, Puerto Rico, to the island to perform essential health condition assessments on the more than 40 members of the geographically separated unit, a part of the 156th Airlift Wing.
"We've been doing this for the past several years," said Lt. Col. Michael Hinrichsen, commander of the 258th Civil Engineer Squadron. "Doing the group health assessment annually at this time, takes many of our squadron personnel not from red, [overdue] but from yellow [pending] to green [medically fit for deployment]."
Providing required basic health care services such as reviewing each individual's self-initiated physical health assessments, basic dental evaluations, optical check-ups and administrative review, the team completed their review in a streamlined three and one half hour visit.
"This program means a lot to us here," said Senior Airman Austin Fabio, power production specialist with the 285th. "It helps us to be physically well in order for us to continue to do our jobs."
Fabio has heard the term of doctors making house calls, but has never experienced it. "They just don't do that anymore," he said.
He was able to complete a dental exam, optometry check for his gas mask insert and required vaccinations in one visit.
Giving the most angst to the examinees, 1st Lt. Vanessa Aldarran, nurse with 156th Airlift Wing, provided the essential inoculations.
"This is a pioneer idea," said Aldarran. "If we wait for the people to come to us, it might not happen. We might not get to 100 percent due to Maria [hurricane], but we're going to do our best."
Aldarran re-enforced the fact that these military exams are a bare minimum to maintain Airman readiness. It's so important to see your civilian health care provider to continue a conversation with them regarding your well-being and ongoing screening for problems.
It's innovative solutions such as this that keep these Airmen always ready, always there.