Subscribe
Name: Senior Airman Matthew Lavigne
Military Specialty (e.g. 3P0X1-Security Forces): BMET 4A251, Biomedical Equipment Specialist
Years of Service:
Unit (e.g. 158 MXG, 158th Fighter Wing, 63rd) 158th FW MDG
Hometown: Milton VT
Current Town: Asheville NC
High School/Graduation Year: Milton 2003
Civilian Job Title: X-ray Repair Tech
Q. What is your job during this exercise?
A. Medical equipment repair.
Q. What is some of the work you did during the exercise?
A. This trip we have worked on generators, centrifuges, lab analyzers, vital sign monitors, ultrasound machines, digitizers, incinerators and oxygen concentrators
Q. What is your mission in Senegal?
A. To repair medical equipment, identify needs, work alongside my Senegalese counterparts and build strong relationships.
Q. First time in Senegal?
A. Third trip to Senegal. It’s great to be back. I learn a little more with each visit.
Q. What were you looking forward to most?
A. The chance to make a difference by repairing medical equipment. The excitement they have when you repair something they have been without for a while or really need and I love to take photos of the area.
Q. What has made the biggest impact on you during this mission?
A. The smiles and attitude of the people here and the ability to play a role in forming great relationships with most of the people. I am still in contact with some of the people I have met on other trips.
Q. How is this mission making you a better medical professional?
A. A good test of your resolve to get medical equipment repaired in an austere environment.
Q. What surprised you about working in Senegal?
A. The mutual respect we share with Senegalese medical professionals. They are very willing to teach as well as learn and always do so with a smile and great sense of humor. I show them the American way and they show me the Senegalese way.
Q. Why is this mission important?
A. I would say you have to experience it to fully understand. Most of the time when you meet someone from Senegal there is a look of apprehension. After spending a short amount of time with them and showing kindness, effort and respect we win each other over. Every trip so far, they have been sad to see us go since we represent the United States to them.
| Date Taken: | 10.10.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 01.22.2020 11:23 |
| Story ID: | 347302 |
| Location: | KOLDA, SN |
| Web Views: | 60 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Meet Your Guard: U.S. Air Force SrA Matthew Lavigne, by Nathan Rivard, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
