Reservists deploy to set up EMEDS at Kunsan

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alice Moore
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea --  Reservists from various units within the 10th Air Force deployed to Kunsan this week to build up an Expeditionary Medical Support (EMEDS) + 25 Theater Hospital facility.

More than 60 Reservists arrived here from the 944th Fighter Wing, Luke AFB, Ariz., along with other personnel from 10th and 4th Air Force bases and two instructors from Brooks City-Base, Texas to put their skills to the test during their normal Over Seas Annual Tour (OSAT).

From start to finish, the Reservists here are responsible for the build up, tear down and operations of the EMEDS facility.

"This is a win-win situation for the Reservists (deploying) here and Kunsan (Air Base)," said Col. Debora Esque, 13th Air Force Reserve liaison and OSAT coordinator. "Kunsan now has a staff that can assist in validating both the medical reception plan and the IGESP (In-Garrison Expeditionary Site Plan), and as for the Reservists, they can train with real-world assets. These Reservists are assigned to a standard Air Expeditionary Force (AEF) 7 rotation. This gives them the opportunity to see, feel and touch real-world equipment and accomplish specific readiness skills, and unit type code deployment training. "

Colonel Esque said that the Reservists will be working with packages such as the HSEP, (hospital surgical expansion package) and the HMEP, (hospital medical expansion package).

"Very few of the Airmen here have seen the HSEP and HMEP set up. This experience will provide them with the proper training for real-world situations." 

With the Reservists here, this is the first time the 8th Medical Group will exercise its EMEDS capability since receiving the equipment seven years ago. This is also the first time on the Korean Peninsula the entire EMEDS package has been utilized.

"We're truly excited that we've been asked to do this," said Lt. Col. Katherine McMorris, troop commander of the Reservists deployed here. "We've done something like this before in other locations and it's a huge compliment for us to be able to do this again. We're thrilled and excited to get going and to be working."

Colonel Esque said that she thinks the active duty and Reserves work well together by bringing different levels of expertise and knowledge to operations. Also, while here the deployed unit will be providing formal training such as Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Cardiac Life Support (PALS) training for active duty members near and around the area. Typically this type of formal training is offered at other locations further away on the Peninsula.
With two weeks of operations ahead, the Airmen are ready to get things started.

"This is an exciting and unique opportunity. I've personally been looking forward to this," said Senior Airman Michele Johnson, 944th Medical Squadron health services management journeyman who also served four years on active duty before joining the Air Force Reserve. "This is a chance to do something different and a great chance to put all of our knowledge and training we've had to use."

Airman Johnson also said her deployment to Kunsan will help prepare her for a possible deployment in the future. Typically Reservists complete their OSAT in smaller groups. Airman Johnson said the fact that she could deploy with a larger group was a great chance to get to know people better as well as increase morale.

"It's great being around everyone. Each of us has different levels of experience to be shared. It's good to be able to come together like this." 

Base leadership said this is just one more example of Airmen here demonstrating their readiness to carry out the mission.

"The Wolf Pack is constantly training and exercising to ensure we are always in our highest state of readiness to accomplish the mission and are ready for any crisis that may arise," said Col. CQ "Wolf" Brown, 8th Fighter Wing commander. "We're excited to have members of the Reserve come out here with their knowledge and capabilities. This is a great example of the Total Force concept in action."

The EMEDS + 25 provide medical support with respect to the IGESP for Kunsan Air Base in a time of need. The facility provides not only full ambulatory support to include medical, dental and life skills services, but also provides surgical capability to an air base.