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thedrifter
04-03-04, 06:29 AM
Flight line aid station cures what ails
Submitted by: 3d Marine Aircraft Wing
Story Identification Number: 2004327114344
Story by Sgt. Nathan K. LaForte



AL ASAD, Iraq(March 27, 2004) -- "Doc, I don't feel so good and I don't know what's wrong."

Every morning Navy corpsmen and a doctor sift through signs and symptoms related to this statement to provide the best medical care possible to Marines of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466.

There are two parts to accomplishing this mission, according to Navy Lt. Alexander W. Schoofs, flight surgeon, HMH-466.

The first part of the medical staff's mission is to care for the Marines who are on, or are trying to get on, flight status, Schoofs explained.

A Marine is put on flight status when they become a part of a helicopter crew, whether the Marine is a pilot, crew chief, aerial gunner or observer.

There are certain qualities the 27-year-old possesses that the squadron needs, he revealed.

"I am a flight surgeon who specializes in aviation medicine," he explained. "Any squadron needs a flight surgeon who is trained specifically for that. This allows me to treat Marines who are on flight status."

Before a Marine can get on flight status, he has to pass a physical, said Seaman Willis G. Bryan, aviation medicine technician, HMH-466. The initial portion of this physical is done by the corpsmen, he added.

"We do pre-screening of aviation candidates before the flight surgeon sees them," the Glen Burnie, Md., native said. "We look at their medical records for any physical things that might disqualify them. We are searching for eyesight or hearing issues and if they are within height and weight standards."

The corpsmen then perform physical tests on the candidates after they screen their records, Bryan indicated.

"When we are done with records, we do a series of tests," the 20-year-old explained. "We check blood pressure, do 12-lead electrocardiograms, and draw blood. We also perform visual, color blindness and body-fat tests along with obtaining height and weight measurements."

If the candidates pass all the screenings, they must also pass the Marine Corps swim qualification with a level of two or higher. After that, the flight surgeon sees them and gives the final yes or no.

Because of the specific job functions of each member of a flight crew, they must not only be in peak physical condition, but they must also be in full control of their faculties, Schoofs said. He and his staff are trained specifically for this.

"We have to recognize what (the Marines') limitations are," the Overland Park, Kan. native said. "This is especially important when giving them medicine that might inhibit them from doing their job."

The patients are screened whenever they are put in a position that something might reduce their ability to perform, Schoofs said.

"I make sure I put the healthiest people in the air," he stated. "It's pretty black and white whether or not someone is fit to fly. When they are not fit, they are issued a 'down chit' for a period of time."

Schoofs said these chits are rare. He also added that when an aircrew member is put in a non-flight status, it is not a punitive measure, it is simply for the safety of everyone on the helicopter.

"If their safety is in question, or I have a doubt, I do whatever will ensure everyone's safety," he said. "It is always in the crew's best interest."

As for the second part of the flightline aid station's mission, the corpsmen's responsibility is to the Marines, said Bryan.

"When not doing aviation medicine stuff, I am also a general duty corpsmen," he stated.

The cases the staff sees during their two daily sick calls are varied but normal, explained Schoofs.

"We handle pretty routine things here," he said. "Things like common colds, sprains, spider bites, lacerations and skin problems. Being in the desert, we have a lot of people coming in with stuff in their eyes."

Anything they cannot handle can be referred to the naval hospital located nearby.

Although the hospital is relatively close-by, Schoofs noted, there are many benefits to having an aid station located directly beside the flightline.

"The closer we are to the people maintaining the aircraft, the less time they spend away from their jobs," he stated. "By being close, we save on long waits and travel time. It allows us to get to know our Marines and (give them) quicker follow-ups. They receive better care overall as a result," he revealed.

This also allows the patients to be treated on a one-on-one basis by the corpsmen, Bryan added.

As for the overall effectiveness of the aid station, Schoofs said he couldn't be more pleased.

"Without a doubt we are helping the mission of the squadron," he concluded. "We keep people healthy and doing their jobs with the same level of initial care that they receive at home."

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2004327115038/$file/040323-M-9245L-001flaslr.jpg

Navy Lt. Alexander W. Schoofs, flight surgeon, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466, checks the vital signs of Cpl. Daniel A. Mitchell, embarkation and logistics specialist, HMH-466. Schoofs, an Overland Park, Kan., native and his crew of three corpsmen operate a flightline aid station 24-hours a day at Al Asad, Iraq. The medical staff supports an entire squadron of Marines here in Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Photo by: Sgt. Nathan K. LaForte

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/7D61CAD7C158843B85256E64005BE539?opendocument


Ellie