HONOLULU – Nearly 50 Airmen assigned to the 125th Medical Group, Florida Air National Guard, and the 165th Medical Group, Georgia Air National Guard, conducted annual medical training at Tripler Army Medical Center, Army Post Schofield Barracks, July 1-15.

“This is going to be a manning assist to Tripler AMC and it’s accomplishing a lot of the inpatient clinical hours that are required of the med techs that must be accomplished at an inpatient treatment facility,” said Capt. William Johnson, emergency and trauma nurse, 125th MDG. “So it’s dual-purpose.”

The cohort included physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, administrators, and dental and bioenvironmental technicians, representing every specialty in the 125th MDG, said Johnson.

“The hospital provides the necessary environment to procure the inpatient hours they need. We don’t have a hospital at the fighter wing,” he said.

In addition to satisfying inpatient clinical hours and upgrade training, the mission enabled Florida Airmen to build relationships with Georgia Guard members working in similar disciplines, he said. Both groups were recognized as top-performing teams landing in the top 17 ANG medical units in the country.

“During drill weekends, we primarily just do clinical work,” said Staff Sgt. Reanna Rodriguez, 125th MDG aerospace medical technician. “Unless you work in the hospital as a civilian, you don’t really get to see a lot of the stuff that you get to see here in the hospital setting.”

All Airmen, even those who work in civilian hospital settings, were able to work in a military facility, exposing them to a broader scope of practice, she said.

Airmen also learn advanced practices and procedures for medical treatment, Johnson said.

“It’s nice to be exposed to a high functioning military treatment facility that has really up-to-date, state-of-the-art equipment,” he said. “They’ve at least seen it if they have to deploy downrange and you send them this equipment.”

Johnson said most of the nurses were able to help train to a higher level than they are able to do at home. 

“Being able to mix a great environment with a great training opportunity has been awesome,“ he said. “It’s really kept people motivated and kind of kept our eyes on the target.”