Photo By Master Sgt. Alexandre Montes | Over 100 airmen came out to show their support and help unpack and pack serviceable...... read more read more
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QATAR - Devoting one’s personal time to help someone else or a community is part of what is called volunteerism. The men and women of the 379th Medical Logistics Squadron took that next step and mixed in some wingman ship, patriotism, and the help of more than 100 Airmen.
Airmen from the 379th Medical Logistics Squadron began a volunteer event that started in February 2015 which has helped maximize their footprint for the recertification process of Improved First Aid Kits or IFAKS.
“Our IFAKS come from the 379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, that’s where our demand comes from,” said Staff Sgt. Bernice Ilos, 379th Expeditionary Medical Group. “They receive it from the Area of Responsibility and bring it to us, and then we recertify them with new components; then redistribute to the Expeditionary Theater Distribution Center.”
During the event, the volunteers went through each module to make sure that they did not reach their expiration date. There were stations for un-packing, sorting, assembling, packing, and certifying. The ‘party’ has made waves throughout the Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar community, helping bring more than 110 volunteers from the initial 35 that helped in February.
Ilos said that the volunteers are having fun with the events and that enthusiasm for this mission continues to grow. Additionally, this fine group of volunteers feels like they are contributing directly to the mission downrange.
“I came here to help out, feels good to take in old medical supplies that are unusable, and putting together new ones to go out,” said Senior Airman Ryan McGuire, 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron. “(I’m) just trying to help out the members that are in harm’s way.”
A whopping 18,000 IFAK units are required to be certified and redistributed. Al Udeid is the only recertification base in the entire AOR and one of only seven in the world. When holding these events the airmen try to make every moment count. The record here is set at an amazing 3,300 IFAKS in a single event.
“I’ve done three of these events, and we started with just a hand full of volunteers, now we are over 100,” said Senior Airman Julaine Johnson, 379th EMDSS. “With an increase of volunteers will be able to increase the number of finished IFAKS.”
The airmen were able to pack 4,500 IFAKS in just four hours. They completed and filled 20 pallets that hold about 225-250 IFAKS. Each module costs roughly $230. These IFAKS will be distributed to support 24,000 deployed members, giving them the capability to perform Self-aid and or Buddy-aid care the event of battlefield casualty or injuries.
| Date Taken: | 05.15.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.15.2015 03:44 |
| Story ID: | 163383 |
| Location: | AL UDEID AIR BASE, QA |
| Web Views: | 86 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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