aerospace medicine

1st Lt. Bryan Freeman, 11th Bomb Squadron pilot, finishes paperwork to give to Airman 1st Class Paul Webb, 2nd Aerospace Medical Squadron medical technician, at the Clinic on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 25. Freeman was scheduled for his annual check to maintain his flying status. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Joseph A. Pagán Jr.)(RELEASED)

aerospace medicine

2nd Lt. Jamil Martin, 340th Weapons Squadron, takes a depth perception test at the clinic on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 25. Martin needs to pass the depth perception test, normal eye examinations and a field of vision test to receive clearance to become a pilot. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Joseph A. Pagán Jr.)(RELEASED)

Aerospace...Up, Up, and Away

Published Jan. 27, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Joseph A. Pagán Jr.
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La.- -- There's a fire in the cockpit. Smoke seeps quickly into the air ducts of the aircraft. The flight crew attempts to escape as quickly as possible, but sometimes that isn't enough.

First responders are quick to examine the crew to prevent them from passing out due to lack of oxygen.

Members of the 2nd Aerospace Medical Squadron are familiar with this scenario. Helping aircrew during emergency situations is just one of their specialties. The 2 AMDS Airmen can also be found in other areas of the Barksdale Medical Clinic, including flight medicine, Personnel Reliability Program, public health, biological engineering and the optometry flight.

"No squadron touches the wing more than we do," said Col. Blake Lollis, 2 AMDS commander. "A majority of Barksdale Airmen come through our squadron whether they are PRP status, flyers or simply need a pair of glasses."

The PRP flight is responsible for screening, evaluating and caring for over 1,400 PRP patients assigned to Barksdale.

PRP and flying Airmen visit the 2 AMDS at least once a year to ensure they are physically prepared for any mission assigned to them.

If a flyer is ill or injured, they are placed on duties not including flight status until they are re-examined and ready to complete the Barksdale mission.

The 2 AMDS not only supports Airmen from the ground, they can also be found with the aircrew on various flight missions.

"Flight surgeons fly once a month for four hours with the aircrew in order to qualify as an active flight surgeon," Lollis said. "It's a requirement for these Airmen to keep their flight status. This helps them retain the knowledge and expertise they've been attentively trained on."