Medical opticians hit milestone in Qatar

Photo By Dustin Senger | U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Eric B. Schoomaker, Army surgeon general, listens to Air Force Staff Sgt. Silvia Ingram, from Freemont, Ohio, discuss medical logistics operations at Camp As Sayliyah, May 14. As a medical logistician, she supports the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Center Southwest Asia mission to provide medical supplies, biomedical repair, optical fabrication and medical logistics information management to the U.S. Central Command area of operations.  

CAMP AS SALIYAH, QATAR

05.15.2008

Story by Dustin Senger 

Area Support Group - Qatar

By Dustin Senger
Area Support Group – Qatar Public Affairs Office

CAMP AS SAYLIYAH, Qatar – The 388th Medical Logistics Company reached an important milestone after completing the 1,000th pair of eyewear at the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Center Southwest Asia optical fabrication lab, May 15. The Camp As Sayliyah optical fabrication facility provides standard-issue, Frame of Choice and combat eyewear for troops serving in Southwest Asia. By improving efficiency and facilities, the 388th MLC continues to outperform Army medical logistics' requirements.

The mission of the USAMMC-SWA is to provide theater medical supplies, biomedical repair, medical logistics information management and optical fabrication to the U.S. Central Command area of operations. The 388th MLC, an Army Reserve unit from Hays, Kansas, took over medical logistics operations at Camp As Sayliyah in October 2007.

The optical fabrication lab, staffed with two Army opticians, provides fabrication services to personnel at Camp As Sayliyah and the nearby air base in Qatar. When requested to sustain operations, the lab assists other optical labs in USCENTCOM.

Additionally, USAMMC-SWA supports the USCENTCOM rest and recuperation pass program by providing visiting war fighters an opportunity to replace or repair required eyewear. Located at Camp As Sayliyah, the USCENTCOM respite program has recharged over 160,000 troops since its inception in 2004.

"There are optician labs available to troops all over Southwest Asia," said U.S. Army Sgt. Katrina Waynar, from Fort Dodge, Iowa. She is the 388th MLC optical lab technician overseeing production at the Qatar facility. "Right now, Iraq has the most support capabilities. We don't have production numbers exceeding the larger labs, but our goal is to keep increasing our support to the war fighter."

"Because of the groundwork laid down at Camp As Sayliyah, the door has been opened for more opportunities," she said. "We have increased our numbers which means we have increased our capabilities." The previous unit had completed 164 pieces of eyewear during their 12-month deployment. Waynar intends to fulfill at least 1,500 prescriptions before her unit prepares to depart the installation this summer. The actual production number will be largely regulated by troop rotations and requirements.

"When we first arrived, we had a small building with a short supply of materials and no hard-wire electrical power or network access," said Waynar. "We needed to put this new lab together. Once it was finished, we started to take on more and more work by reaching out to units elsewhere. With the help of Area Support Group Qatar and the installation commander, many have been surprised by what we have made available. I think it's safe to say we have the largest frame stock in Southwest Asia."

Currently, the lab offers single-vision eyewear, repairs, adjustments and replacement parts. Since USCENTCOM rest and recuperation participants are only on the installation for a few days, the opticians attempt to complete prescriptions within the same day – sometimes while they wait.

Important for many service members, the lab also offers Frame of Choice fashion eyewear in all available colors and sizes. In the past, military-issued eyewear was restricted to a thick and durable design – perfect for combat and training environments but less comfortable in everyday use. The thinner Frame of Choice options are much more modern in design.

"Some people lose their glasses; many get destroyed," said Waynar. "We try everything to find their prescription, which is easily available for all glasses ordered through the military." Lenses are made based on the service member's most recent prescription. "We are working toward becoming a multi-focal lab as well."

"The 388th non-commissioned officer corps has really raised the bar in efficiency," said Army Lt. Col. Scott Carpenter, from Morehead City, N.C. He is the USAMMC-SWA commander. "I don't micromanage – I just give command guidance, intent and vision. I trust my NCO leadership to optimize their work environments. Who knows best how to improve a section than the people working in it everyday?"

According to Carpenter, every section in the medical logistics company has improved. The 388th MLC repaired more medical equipment in eight months than the previous unit finished in a year. Inventory accuracy is currently at 99.6 percent, exceeding Army standards.

"The 388th MLC has taken ownership in their areas and continue to exceed Army requirements by regulation," said Carpenter.

• Date Taken: 05.15.2008
• Date Posted: 05.15.2008 16:20
• Story ID: 19450
• Location: CAMP AS SALIYAH, QA