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    NMAT team support Afghan guests get the medical attention they need

    JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, WY, UNITED STATES

    01.28.2022

    Story by Airman 1st Class Darius Frazier 

    Operation Allies Welcome - Operation Allies Refuge   

    JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NJ. –
    The Non Medical Attendance Transportation (NMAT) team on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is responsible for the safe transportation of both Afghan guests and Task Force Liberty members supporting Operation Allies Welcome.

    The team sees to it that anyone in need of transportation to a medical facility arrives in a safe and timely manner.

    “We got out to the hospitals and do accountability for all the patients and make sure they have everything they need whether that be clothes or food,” said SSgt. Ashley Jackson, a member with the NMAT team. “We do that as well as transport them to and from the hospital.”

    The NMAT team acts as the bridge between the guests and the medical attention they may need. This can lead to many emotional interactions.

    “The most important event that I got to experience was helping a woman give birth,” said Jackson. “I was actually in the room with her, holding her hand as she was delivering, which was a crazy and awesome experience.”

    The woman who gave birth expressed her gratitude to Jackson through the assistance of a translator.

    “I think it meant a lot to her that I was there assisting,” said Jackson. “During a change of shift, she got the translator on the phone and said ‘thank you so much for what you did, it meant a lot to me’ and that meant a lot to me knowing that i got to be there for it.”

    “When I came on board our team was the medical escorts essentially getting the guests to the on base clinic or medical facilities off base.” MSgt. Roy Galindo, a member of the NMAT Team. “Depending on the needs of the individual we would drive them to a facility that could handle that need.”

    Galindo went on to talk about how many of the Airmen who help out have gotten to be a part of some incredible stories.

    “The moments where I actually get to hear about Airmen coming back and the experiences that they got have been great,” said Galindo. “Hearing about those bonds that the Airmen got with those families has been my favorite moment.”

    Many of the Airmen supporting the mission volunteered.

    “Everyone came together and fell under this one mission and made it happen,'' said Galindo. “I think a main portion of that success is the Airmen being dedicated to helping the guests.”

    For many of the guests, the care they may have needed while over in Afghanistan may have been halted. The NMAT team sees to it that those people are getting the same care.

    “We’ve been supporting over 12,000 displaced people from their homes,” said Airman 1st Class Tenorio, a member of the NMAT team. “There are people getting hurt, people giving birth, people in need. It’s our job to get those people the care they need.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 01.28.2022
    Date Posted: 02.09.2022 09:58
    Story ID: 413749
    Location: JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, WY, US

    Web Views: 29
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN