Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Britney Hiatt | More than 100 service members conducted medical operations in support of the 2023...... read more read more
More than 100 service members from the U.S. Army Reserves, U.S. Public Health Services, U.S. Air Force, as well as the Montana, New Mexico, and Arizona National Guards, conducted medical operations in support of the 2023 Walking Shield Innovative Readiness Training at the Fort Belknap Reservation, Montana, August 2023.
Over the years, Walking Shield has become a staple event on the reservation, said Capt. Greg Smith, a public health service officer with the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service.
Walking Shield personnel set up in three locations on the reservation: the Fort Belknap Agency, Hays, and Lodge Pole, augmenting Indian Health Services staff by providing support in medical, dental, pharmacy, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
“This year we also have a veterinarian service clinic that's been well received and performing veterinary services in the Fort Belknap community,” said Smith. “We also have a health fair… providing health education services within the community and around the reservation in different locations.”
Veterinary services were administered to 351 animals and the health fair saw a total of 175 visitors.
Spc. Brian Williamson, a Montana National Guard medic from Browning, Montana, and other guardsmen were able to respond to real world emergencies while working with tribal EMS.
Williamson worked on an ambulance for six years before becoming a police officer in Browning. He cited that he and other service members supporting the Fort Belknap EMS department helped respond to incidents such as car accidents that happened during their two weeks on site.
“I just like helping people and in that kind of hands-on regard. So, helping other Montanans and Natives is just a little bit more of a cherry on top,” Williamson said. “It's rewarding to help somebody that's just down the road from me.”
| Date Taken: | 08.16.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 08.28.2023 18:03 |
| Story ID: | 452290 |
| Location: | FORT BELKNAP AGENCY, MT, US |
| Web Views: | 76 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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