An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Aug. 4, 2025

Arizona Air Guard’s 161st Medical Group Completes Training in Italy

By Staff Sgt. Shane Sanders, 161st Air Refueling Wing

SIGONELLA, Italy - More than 40 members of the 161st Medical Group, Arizona Air National Guard, completed a two-week Medical Facility Annual Training, or MFAT, rotation at Naval Air Station Sigonella in July, advancing medical readiness and strengthening joint-service partnerships through real-world hospital experience.

During the 14-day training, Airmen worked side-by-side with U.S. Navy medical personnel across a range of clinical and administrative settings. The rotation enabled participants to complete core Air Force Specialty Code, or AFSC, training tasks while gaining practical exposure to inpatient care environments.

“The MFAT at Sigonella codified our seamless joint medical partnership with our Navy counterparts,” said Chief Master Sgt. George Silvas, senior enlisted leader of the 161st Medical Group. “This platform offered our personnel hands-on, core task, training and overall experience in a true hospital setting. It was a great experience for all, with an invaluable positive impact on morale.”

Personnel supported more than 485 patient interactions, including 213 direct care encounters by medics. Administrative specialists processed about 2,000 medical records, and public health teams conducted inspections and environmental surveillance in partnership with Navy preventive medicine staff. Additional training included water testing, noise dosimetry assessments and food safety reviews.

The 161st Medical Group also conducted a vertical inspection of the U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella’s Biomedical Equipment Program, identifying possible improvements relevant to future Joint Commission readiness.

“The opportunity to work in a joint service environment with the Navy was outstanding,” said Col. Brian Dursteler, commander of the 161st Medical Group. “Building morale, developing relationships, while providing care and training, made a difference to our service members and to those whom we treated. It was such a valuable experience for our members.”

Support for the training extended beyond clinical roles. Finance, Logistics, Public Affairs and Chaplain Corps personnel deployed alongside the medical team, ensuring operational continuity and total-force integration. The Chaplain Corps engaged with more than 90 personnel and also provided counseling to Navy members during the rotation.

For many participants, the training marked their first joint experience with another branch of the military.


“My first MFAT experience was definitely one to remember,” said Senior Airman Vicente Leyvas, Aerospace Medical Service Journeyman. “The Navy corpsmen I worked alongside were welcoming and excited about the support we were providing the flight line clinic. I was able to learn new clinical skills and techniques from the individual duty corpsmen who are enlisted members but function as medical providers.”

The rotation also supported broader Air Force goals of multi-capable Airman development and medical readiness in forward environments. Training was tailored to both individual skill proficiency and overall mission support.

“Having ancillary personnel from Public Affairs, the Chaplain’s Corps and Logistics was equally important,” Dursteler said. “The Commanding Officer of the Sigonella Naval Hospital was truly appreciative of our help and support. He asked that we return next year. It was a privilege to serve.”

The Airmen departed Naval Air Station Sigonella with increased capabilities, strengthened partnerships and a deeper understanding of joint-service operations.

 

 

Related Articles
A Security Forces Airman responds to a simulated attack during a field training exercise at Ft. William Henry Harrison, Helena, Mont., June 2, 2025. Security Forces Squadrons from Arizona and Pennsylvania traveled to the Fort for a week of field training. The field instruction consisted of patrol movements, base security, key leader engagements, chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives detection response, and simulated attacks from opposition forces.
Arizona and Pennsylvania Air Guards Train Together in Montana
By Tech. Sgt. Jayson Burns, | June 6, 2025
FORT WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, Mont. – More than 100 security forces Airmen from Arizona and Pennsylvania conducted five days of joint annual training in Helena, Montana, June 2-6.The defenders from the 161st Air Refueling...

U.S. Air Force leaders from the 154th Air Expeditionary Wing pose for a photo during Talisman Sabre 25 in Northern Territory, Australia, July 24, 2025. Talisman Sabre is the largest bilateral military exercise between Australia and the United States, which advances a safe and secure Indo-Pacific by strengthening relationships and interoperability among key allies and partners, while enhancing our collective capabilities to respond to a wide array of potential security concerns.
Air Guard Demonstrates Critical Indo-Pacific Capabilities During Talisman Sabre 25
By Maj. Eve Derfelt, | July 31, 2025
BRISBANE, Queensland – Airmen from Hawaii, California, Guam, Idaho and Wisconsin Air National Guard units participated in Talisman Sabre 25, Australia’s premier military exercise that underscored the U.S. Air National Guard's...

U.S. Air Force firefighters assigned to the 169th Civil Engineer Squadron’s fire department and the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron’s fire department conduct car burn procedures during a deployment for a training course at Yokota Air Base, Japan, July 5, 2025. This collaboration enabled Airmen and local partners to develop advanced skill sets, identify potential stress points, and promote unit cohesion for maximum efficiency in the event of a real-world crisis.
South Carolina Air Guard Trains with Active Component in Japan
By Staff Sgt. Danielle Dawson, | July 18, 2025
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan – U.S. Air Force firefighters assigned to the South Carolina Air National Guard 169th Civil Engineer Squadron partnered with the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department for a two-week immersive...