Servicemembers from the Department of Defense are providing medical care during a two-week medical exercise being conducted jointly with several other Guard and Reserve units from around the nation.
The goal of the training program is to provide realistic training while at the same time provide no-cost medical care for people in remote areas who are medically underserved.
During the training period, clinicians have set up areas to perform medical examinations as well as dental and optometry care in community centers in six different locations on the island territory.
The Innovative Readiness Training was created in 1992 as a way to provide realistic training in a joint environment in order to prepare U.S. military members to perform similar duties during a crisis at home or abroad.
During their time in Puerto Rico, the medical teams are provided with hands-on, mission-essential training while simultaneously providing health care to communities in select locations around the island.
Events that are a part of the readiness training program like the one in Puerto Rico also aim to provide a critical link between the military and members of the civilian community where the events are held.
For questions concerning this release as well as additional information about the operations, training, and activities, please contact, Puerto Rico - Innovative Readiness Training Public Affairs Superintendent U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Vincent W. De Groot by email at vincent.w.degroot.mil@mail.mil or the Public Affairs officer U.S. Army Capt. Maria E. Swatski by email at Maria.E.Swatski.mil@mail.mil