Training team capitalizes on opportunities during medical mission

Photo By Airman 1st Class Tyler Catanach | Capt. Adrian Mateos, Officer in Charge of Delta Wellness Innovative Readiness Training, teaches a class on “combatives” July 10. Mateos was responsible for the entire training program during the two-week IRT.  

GREENVILLE, MS, UNITED STATES

07.14.2021

Story by Master Sgt. Daniel Butterfield 

150th Special Operations Wing

GREENVILLE, Miss. — When Capt. Adrian Mateos, 150th Medical Group, New Mexico Air National Guard, was named the Officer in Charge of Training for the 2021 Delta Wellness Innovative Readiness Training Mission in March, he had a philosophy he wanted to implement immediately — to incorporate as much training as possible regardless of Air Force Specialty Codes, Army Military Operation Specialties or Navy Rates. This was a task complicated by not only catering to different services’ needs, but training in three locations: Greenville, Mississippi; Lake Providence, Louisiana; and Lake Village, Arkansas. Despite this, Mateos, who has “six or seven” IRTs under his belt, knew this was a great opportunity given the time and availability of personnel to get members trained like never before.
To help accomplish this goal, the classes Mateos and his team had on the schedule during the IRT included: tactical combat casualty care, 9-line medical evacuation, combatives, leadership and radio communication. These classes were offered to all IRT participants, whether it was required for your primary job or not.
“What I wanted to bring to the table was to expand training beyond patient care, in order to maximize the utilization of annual training days,” said Mateos. “To make it relevant and cost effective as well as joint (service) and to maximize expertise, partnerships and resources to develop a capable force.”
To accomplish this, Mateos looked at all available training, checked to see who he could get on station to provide the training, and made a schedule to allow as many of the 280-plus IRT participants to attend. This ensured maximum participation.
“We built a very strong team with people that are credible and competent in their career field,” said Mateos.
A vital member of Mateos’ team was Sgt. 1st Class Gareth Wilson, Oklahoma National Guard, training noncommissioned officer in charge. His responsibilities were to coordinate with the site training NCOICs and have an overview of the training at each individual site, as well as the TCCC training that they are doing at all three sites.
“Captain Mateos and I met at the mid-planning conference and he kind of gave me his vision. I was in awe of everything he wanted to accomplish. He definitely had lofty goals,” said Wilson. “I just wanted to come and help bring everything to fruition by providing good quality training to all the service members.”
The hard work that the team has put forward for this IRT has paid off according to Wilson. “Everybody that I’ve talked to that has gone through the training has been very excited. They said it’s some of the best training they’ve done and it really helps to boost morale.”
One of the training sessions involved teaming-up with local Emergency Medical Services. Master Sgt. Gregg Hecathorn, 150th Medical Group, NMANG, was responsible for coordinating the schedules for ambulance ride-alongs, another first for an IRT mission.
“I'm super happy with how the program is going. It's been a great experience. A lot of them had never been in the back of an ambulance,” said Hecathorn. “The agencies have been very receptive and willing to help us in any way they possibly can. They've gone above and beyond and I know they're very happy with having extra hands in the ambulance.”
Mateos said this type of training is atypical for Air Force medical personnel, but could prove extremely valuable in the future. “A lot of the experience they are gaining relates to our UTCs or unit tasking codes. For example the 150th has a CCAT team, critical care air transport, which of course is air based. However, for the providers to be exposed to ground transportation is also extremely important for their awareness on what type of patient they may receive for definitive care.”
The Delta Wellness team completed over 10,000 hours of total training in classrooms, seperate from the training they gained in patient care. This dual training environment allowed the team to save 90 annual training days, along with tens of thousands of dollars in additional pay and travel expenses.
“Ensure there is proper understanding across the board in the leadership section on what parameters need to be met,” said Mateos. “That person should also surround himself or herself with competent, credible and reliable individuals.”

• Date Taken: 07.14.2021
• Date Posted: 07.14.2021 12:19
• Story ID: 400875
• Location: GREENVILLE, MS, US
• Hometown: GREENVILLE, MS, US