Photo By Andrea Jenkins | U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jedidiah Floyd, a heating, ventilation, air conditioning and...... read more read more
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LA MESA, Panama – The steady hum of new air-conditioning units now resonate through patient rooms once stifling with heat—an audible reminder that invisible systems can transform medical care. In the tropical climate of Panama, functioning HVAC isn’t a luxury—it’s foundational to safety and comfort in medical spaces.
During AMISTAD 2025, two U.S. Air Force HVAC technicians teamed with Panamanian counterparts to overhaul systems at the Centro de Salud de La Mesa, a facility dating back to the 1960s and originally donated by U.S. Southern Command.
Though decades old, the center continues to serve as a lifeline for the surrounding region, supporting as many as 400 patients daily with general medicine, dental, laboratory services, early-childhood stimulation therapy and pediatric care.
“It puts a lot into perspective when you see how much this community needs a functioning clinic,” said Tech. Sgt. Jedidiah Floyd, 45th Civil Engineer Squadron, Patrick Space Force Base, Florida. “Back home, air conditioning can feel like a luxury. But here, it’s a necessity. Patients are already uncomfortable when they come to a hospital—being able to provide cooling in their rooms makes a big difference.”
Floyd and Staff Sgt. Runlin Liu, 49th Civil Engineer Squadron, Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, have already installed 10 of the 20 planned units, focusing on exam rooms, labs, therapy areas, and staff workspaces.
“The work isn’t just about installing machines—it’s about seeing the impact firsthand,” Floyd said. “When you come here, you see how many people really need this and how many of them walk miles or travel for hours just to reach the clinic. Being able to provide resources and some comfort in those conditions is huge.”
Side by side with Floyd and Liu, Panama’s Ministry of Health technicians brought their own expertise. Regional mechanical director Manuel Álvarez, who has worked in health facilities for 14 years, said the collaboration has been smooth despite the language gap.
“Even with some challenges, we’ve found ways to communicate—through gestures, pointing and translators,” said Alvarez. “When it comes to the work, everything has gone very well.
“This center needed more repairs than others in the region,” said Alvarez, explaining why La Mesa was chosen for upgrades during AMISTAD. “It serves one of the largest populations, so the impact here is much greater. About 200 to 400 people come through daily—for consultations, labs, or therapy for children. That’s why these repairs matter so much.”
Limited resources in Panama also shaped the mission.
“We don’t always have the tools we need. The toolbox I’m using is my personal one, not from the government,” Álvarez said. “But even with limited supplies, we find ways to get the job done. That’s been valuable to share with our U.S. partners.”
Álvarez’s efficiency left a lasting impression on the U.S. team. For years, he has refined a system that allows his crews to complete installations across a dozen different health centers with limited tools and manpower. Observing and adapting to that process gave the U.S. team a new perspective on how to approach the work.
“Manuel has a system in place for how they do this work across 12 different clinics,” said Floyd. “Falling into that system was really beneficial. I’ll take that back home with me because it’s the fastest and most organized way I’ve seen it done.”
Beyond the technical side, the partnership has built trust at a personal level. Long days on ladders and rooftops turned into lessons on craftsmanship, patience and camaraderie.
“We’ve been working shoulder to shoulder,” Floyd said. “You learn small things from each other—like how to position a ladder, how to hold tools, how to get more comfortable with the process. It’s not just technical, it’s teamwork.”
That teamwork reflects AMISTAD’s broader intent. The mission is not only about providing care or repairing buildings, but also about strengthening bonds between nations and communities.
“This mission draws attention not only from the U.S. personnel, but also from our own government, so they see the needs these clinics have,” Alvarez said. “More importantly, I hope the friendships we are building—the teamwork, the cultural exchanges, even sharing food—will last. That’s what makes this mission special.”
Though HVAC rarely makes headlines, AMISTAD 2025 highlights its quiet importance. Every cooled room makes patient care safer, protects sensitive medical equipment, and eases the burden for families traveling the distance for treatment.
“Most of my other missions were about cooling equipment or servers,” Floyd said. “This is different. It feels more human, more impactful, because it directly benefits people seeking medical care. That’s the kind of experience that stays with you.”
As AMISTAD 2025 continues throughout Panama, HVAC technicians are keeping the mission running—and the rooms cool.
| Date Taken: | 09.17.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.19.2025 23:40 |
| Story ID: | 548837 |
| Location: | LA MESA, PA |
| Web Views: | 74 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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