JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- The 3rd Wing currently has three flight surgeons and eight independent duty medical technicians to keep pilots and crew members physically capable of carrying out the wing’s mission.
Flight doctors are medical experts who ensure Airmen with flying duties remain healthy. They perform a physical examination, evaluate various stresses associated with flying and how medical conditions might affect aircrew and support personnel while performing their duties.
IDMTs are enlisted medical technicians with advanced training who can act as squadron medical elements. They can perform the essential functions of almost the entire medical group by themselves, and are often known as “jacks of all trades.”
“The relationship between the flight surgeon and IDMT is a synergistic one,” said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jack Williams, 517th Airlift Squadron IDMT. “It allows us both to combine efforts and eliminate pitfalls in both patient care and preventative medicine for not only the combat aviators but also for the maintainers – our primary focus is the people.”
The flight surgeon and IDMT offer around-the-clock care and wellness for the 3rd WG. They communicate issues affecting the combat readiness, mission effectiveness, and individual medical readiness directly to the commander while providing recommendations to perform safe, effective flying operations.
“The flying units on JBER deliver premier combat-ready aerospace forces to warfighting commanders to defend and protect the U.S. interest in both the Indo-Pacific region and around the world,” Williams said. “It is of utmost importance to have [the squadron medics] – they are essential for the mental, physical, social, and spiritual wellness of each person within the squadron.”
Air Force Maj. Alexander Reynolds, 673d Medical Group chief of aerospace medicine, added that the in-squadron medical services might include brief administrative exams, such as a return-to-fly after an ankle sprain, or treatment of limited acute musculoskeletal conditions that do not require treatment with procedures, medication, or invasive intervention.
The team also ensured their flight missions kept going by having the fighter squadron IDMTs set up a “Raptor Clinic” when COVID-19 started. They provided more in-depth medical care and kept the pilots out of the medical clinic, which reduced potential aircrew exposure.
“The squadron medical element flight surgeons and the IDMTs have always maintained limited clinical capabilities in the squadron for their aviators,” Reynolds said. “They proved highly beneficial during the pandemic when access to certain medical services and administrative exams was limited at the medical treatment facility.”
Also, Air Force Capt. Samuel Philbrick, 525th Fighter Squadron flight surgeon, created an in-depth explanation of COVID-19 and the importance of following protocol on YouTube; the video has garnered more than 24,000 views.
“Their mission is to provide top-notch medical care to their aircrew and support personnel,” added Air Force Master Sgt. Jessica Ballweg, 525th FS superintendent. “This is a phenomenal group of people who have made life with COVID restriction and daily changes easier to manage. When you see your IDMT or flight doc around, we encourage you to stop by and chat with [them].”