AMC Surgeon General Visits Fairchild

Published Sept. 28, 2007
By By Tech. Sgt. Larry W. Carpenter Jr.
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- General Byron C. Hepburn, Command Surgeon, Air Mobility Command, visited Fairchild and 92nd Medical Group personnel Sept. 25.

The site visit provided the general a chance to visit the medical facilities and members of Team Fairchild and the 92nd Medical Group. He also spoke to Airmen about his command vision.

The general brought Col. Robert Hamilton, AMC Chief of Medical Support Division, and Chief Master Sgt. Peggy Kerns, AMC Chief Medical Enlisted Issues, to ensure that Airmen's questions could be fully answered during the discussion.

"I think the fact that he brought individuals that could answer to his audience made us feel like he was listening to our concerns," said Senior Master Sgt. Darla Steetle, 92nd Medical Support Squadron superintendent.

During the day, General Hepburn toured the base clinic and received an overview of the construction project while stopping in to visit the mental health clinic, pediatrics, immunizations, diagnostic imaging, as well as the pharmacy. He also got a firsthand look at Fairchild's health and wellness center, physiological training unit, flight medicine and the dental clinic.

In the afternoon, the general held a commander's call for everyone in the medical group, where he re-enforced the chief of staff's priorities: winning the war on terrorism, developing and caring for our Airmen, and modernizing and recapitalizing our aircraft and equipment. The general was introduced by Col. Barbara Jefts, 92nd Medical Group Commander.

"I can't think of a better man and a better officer to be our command surgeon," said Colonel Jefts. "He's an officer first and always has been; he's definitely an inspiration."

During the time the general spent with Airmen, he stressed the importance of and the advances in aeromedical evacuation. The average time to get an injured servicemember home has reduced from 21 days during Vietnam to three days today. Since October 2001, more than 2,000 critical Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM patients have been evacuated, with critical care and transport teams accounting for 2.5 percent of those people.

The general went on to talk about the lethality rate of this war, and the fact that the rate has decreased tremendously in this conflict.

"If you look at military medical history, we have never achieved these low rates of lethality," said General Hepburn. "If a Soldier, Marine or Airman Gets to Balad Air Base, Iraq, today alive, it's close to a 97-percent chance that that young man makes it back to the U.S. alive."

The General also stressed medics' impact in the no-tobacco campaign.

"I want the medics to be leaders in the tobacco campaign," said General Hepburn. "I want you guys to be leading by example and be a good role model for your peers."

The general wrapped up his comments by thanking medical personnel for their service to the nation.

"Be proud of what you're doing and be proud of being part of a great wing here," he said. "When you get home tonight, thank your families for what they're doing. Never lose sight of that."