FORT BELKNAP INDIAN RESERVATION, Mont. - Minnesota Air National Guard’s 148th Fighter Wing members participated in an Innovative Readiness Training mission at the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, providing free health care to people and their pets.
The multiday mission in early August also involved U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the 7350th and 7360th Veterinary Detachments and the District of Columbia Army National Guard Medical Detachment.
The Department of Defense program delivers joint training opportunities to increase deployment readiness while providing health care to communities with limited access to resources.
The 18-person team included specialists from optometry, health care services, laboratory services and dentistry. This training offered hands-on experience for the military personnel while fostering relationships between the military and the Fort Belknap community.
Fort Belknap encompasses 675,147 acres and is home to the Assiniboine (Nakoda) and Gros Ventre (Aaniiih) Tribes, with a tribal membership of 7,000.
“This was my first time going on a trip like this for the military,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Kaitlyn Brenner, a physician assistant in the 148th Medical Group. “It allowed me to use my training in a really unique way.”
Medical procedures ranged from eye care to simple checkups. For many of the residents, these services represented a rare and valuable opportunity to receive comprehensive health care close to home.
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jodi Grayson, IRT lead planner of the 148th Medical Group, said the mission was more than just another training exercise.
“You could see it in their smiles, literally,” said Grayson. “For a population with limited access to healthcare, the contributions of the 148th Medical Group were not just appreciated, but deeply felt.”
The mission also extended to the community’s pets. Members of the 148 MDG joined veterinarians from the U.S. Army Reserve to conduct wellness checks, perform spay and neuter procedures, and provide dental cleanings for over 100 cats and dogs.
When people typically think of military operations, they envision large-scale, global missions. However, the IRT event at Fort Belknap was a reminder that even small, local efforts can have a profound impact on communities in need. Service members sharpened their skills for future missions and made a lasting impact on a community in need.