Courtesy Photo | U.S. Air National Guard Lt. Col. Robert Brautigam, a Critical Care Doctor with the...... read more read more
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PAGO PAGO, American Samoa – The 103d Medical Group recently completed an Innovative Readiness Training that provided an incredible dual purpose – providing critical medical care to thousands of citizens in American Samoa at no cost from Aug. 11 to Aug. 27, 2025. Fifteen Medical Group Airmen from the 103d Airlift Wing collaborated with their active-duty U.S. Navy and U.S. Army counterparts to operate a clinic that provided a full spectrum of medical treatment – everything from pediatric vaccines to gallbladder surgery. The 103d MDG has conducted similar clinics in parts of Hawaii and Georgia in the past; however, this was the first time they had served American Samoa.
“In just 12 days, we saw more than 3,000 people,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jessica Persad, a medical readiness officer with the 103d Medical Group. “We estimated that we provided nearly $900,000 worth of care at no cost to the people of American Samoa.” This type of treatment is vital due to the island’s remote location and lack of medical professionals who live there. "It's not that the care isn’t available — it’s that there’s only one or two specialists on the entire island,” said Persad, who works full-time as a nurse in a local Connecticut hospital. “People could wait years just to see an optometrist, so when we came in, we helped a lot of people who had been waiting a long time.”
This trip was significant not only for establishing a new IRT partnership with American Samoa but also for delivering critical care in such a short time frame. The clinic was open for a total of 12 days, providing nearly 13,000 medical services, which is a milestone for the unit and a testament to the mission's success. From medical admin to nurses, dental hygienists, a surgeon, and even a chaplain, the 103d had a robust team operating at the clinic. “These weren’t short days,” said Persad. “We were working long clinic hours, and everyone gave their all.”
The mission was part of the Department of Defense’s Innovative Readiness Training program, which is specifically designed to serve both the military and the communities it supports. By fostering mission readiness and strengthening partnerships in remote areas like American Samoa, IRT allows both sides to benefit. “It’s a two-birds-with-one-stone opportunity,” said Persad. “We’re able to give back to the community by providing free healthcare services, and at the same time, it’s an incredibly valuable training opportunity for us.”
In addition to primary care, the team provided dental exams, pharmacy prescriptions, behavioral health support, and even minor surgeries. U.S. Air Force Capt. Alexandra Sanowski-Bell, a general surgeon with the 103d Medical Group, worked with a local hospital to set up and perform procedures that locals had been waiting years to receive. This marked the first time in recent history that the 103d provided surgical procedures at an IRT.
“The need was real, and so was the gratitude,” said Persad. “The community welcomed us with open arms, and many expressed how much the care meant to them and their families.”
The comprehensive effort in American Samoa by the 103d MDG stands as a lasting example of the Connecticut Air National Guard’s broad expertise and operational readiness. With nearly $900,000 in care delivered in less than two weeks, the mission was not only built on hard work but also partnership with the neighboring communities.
The 103d Airlift Wing, Connecticut Air National Guard, is based at Bradley Air National Guard Base in East Granby, Connecticut. The wing provides trained, equipped, and mission-ready Airmen to support federal and state requirements, including tactical airlift, aeromedical evacuation, and domestic operations - anywhere, anytime
| Date Taken: | 11.17.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 11.17.2025 13:39 |
| Story ID: | 551384 |
| Location: | AS |
| Web Views: | 49 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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