944 ASTS enhances cost effective training

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Louis Vega Jr.
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Saving lives on the battlefield has always been the number one priority of the 944th Aeromedical Staging Squadron. Recently, they have adopted a new mission, saving the U.S. Air Force money by developing an efficient cost effective training program.

"We have developed an innovative teaching center where we expand knowledge, enhance skills, and provide certifications in order to create a deployable medical first responder force able to support any contingency, anywhere, anytime," said Master Sgt. Christopher Martin, 944th ASTS NCOIC Joint Military Operations Training Initiative and Critical Care Air Transport Team.

Col. Michael Chesser, M.D., Lt. Col. Leslie Wilson, officer in charge JMOTI, and Master Sgt. Christopher Martin will represent the 944th ASTS, the Total Medical Force Enterprise and JMOTI training as they present the TMFE/JMOTI concept and its established idea at the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States meeting in San Antonio, Texas later this year.

"Hopefully with the lives that are saved through this educational opportunity, the program will speak for itself," said Wilson.

The program can save the military money as well as time explained Martin. Members can accomplish 30 percent of readiness skills verification's through JMOTI courses. This on station training saves on travel and adds flexibility for scheduling since it is held locally. There is no need to outsource because training can be accomplished in a moment's notice since resources are available in the unit.

In this time of budgetary restraint, the 944 ASTS developed the JMOTI program for members to accomplish on-station sustainment and upgrade training resulting in reduced training costs through integration of existing medical training platforms.

"We want to expand this within the Air Force," said Col. Chesser. "Our Total Medical Force Enterprise is a newer way of thinking and what we are building is a forum for ideas and mutual collaboration for all operational medics. We do not want to just meet training requirements, but build the most robust and versatile medics we can to meet future contingencies. We have managed to bring together a consortium of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines in the active duty and reserve components, and civilian first responders. We hope to share our experiences at the AMSUS meeting and further our networking so we can continue to learn and improve this concept."

The 944th ASTS vision and mission statement reflects the 944th Fighter Wing and fulfills its promise to train and provide combat ready Airmen by accomplishing what the program and courses offer.