Optometry Solves 'On-Sight' Problems
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
www.379aew.afcent.af.mil Diligentia et Accuratio DESERT EAGLE Volume 9, Issue 45 Nov. 8, 2009 Optometry solves ‘on-sight’ problems Commentary Mentoring easy as pie By Master Sgt. Charlotte Derby others who provide mentoring along the Volume 9, Issue 45 Combined Air and Space way as well – even if they have no idea Editorial Staff Operations Center, Det 1, 609 Air they’re mentors. Our lives are examples Communications Squadron for all to see. Commander When you stop to pick up that Brig. Gen. Stephen Wilson We are often told we need to find a stray piece of trash or to help provide mentor or be a mentor. It seems to be the directions to a new arrival, you are Chief, Public Affairs word of the day lately. But mentoring is adding to the pie. When you take a deep Capt. Martha Petersante-Gioia not done well if it’s just another thing breath and explain, calmly and patiently, Superintendent, Public Affairs you have to put on your “to do” list. how a piece of equipment works, you are Senior Master Sgt. Ellen Schirmer Of course, there are times when adding to the pie. you will sit down with an Airman or We add to people’s lives even if we Supervisor, News another young person -- we do have are not interacting with them directly. A Senior Airman Michael Matkin a role in the community -- and advise mentoring session may be more like an on the ways of the Air Force and the interview with a one-way mirror – you Editor world. This is important but is only a may never know whose life you touch. It Senior Airman David Dobrydney fraction of the picture. could be just sitting in the dining facility To illustrate, I read a story many years and listening, sharing your stories or Multimedia Tech. Sgt. Jason Edwards ago that talked about ‘Mama pie.’ Every listening to someone else’s. It could Tech. Sgt. Michael Gray child has some of his or her ‘Mama be working hard, worrying where the Staff Sgt. John White pie’ filled by people other than Mother. spotlight is pointing, or it could be gently Staff Sgt. Robert Barney Mama herself can’t and shouldn’t be the guiding another’s behavior so he or she whole pie. Aunts, grandparents, friends, doesn’t ‘burn a bridge.’ Printed by QF&M, LLC, a private firm unconnected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive neighbors, etc., all help to fill in the pie Just as this is a small Air Force, it’s a written contract with the 379th Air Expeditionary and make us who we are. small world as well. You are a mentor to Wing. This funded Air Force newspaper is an Mentoring is the same. You may have someone, somewhere, whether you realize authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services overseas. Contents of the Desert a person you consider your mentor (just it or not. Be sure to be a good one, because Eagle aren’t necessarily the official view of, or like you have a mom) but there are many we are all affected. Add to the pie. endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the Department of the Air Force. The editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the 379th AEW Public Affairs office. Base SNCO makes E-9 grade All photographs are Air Force photographs unless otherwise indicated. Congratulations to Senior Master Sgt. Commentaries and warriors of the week are scheduled according to a squadron rotation. Unit Charles Meyer, Air Force Forces Special commanders and first sergeants are the points of contact for submissions. Staff, who was recently selected for For more information, call 436-0107. promotion to the rank of Chief Master on Sergeant in the 09E9 promotion cycle. Commander’s Action Tech. Sgt. Sarah Fry, 379th Expeditionary Medical Group opthalmologist, adjusts a pair Line of glasses to ensure a perfect fit in Southwest Asia, Monday. - The Action Line is your direct link to Brig. Gen. Stephen Wilson, Sergeant Fry is deployed from 379th Air Expeditionary Wing commander. the Wyoming Air National Guard. - Use it if you have questions or comments about the base that (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. cannot be resolved by your chain of command or base agencies. Jason Edwards) - Each question will be reviewed, answered and may be published on a case-by-case basis. E-mail [email protected]. Desert Eagle 2 Nov. 8, 2009 News RAAF bids farewell, transfers to new locale By Squadron Leader Clarke McNamara Royal Australian Air Force No. 37 Squadron The Royal Australian Air Force is transferring its C-130 Hercules base of operations to another undisclosed location in Southwest Asia in November. Australian forces currently spread throughout the area of responsibility will consolidate their operations to a single location by the end of the year. “Our mission focus has shifted to support operations in Afghanistan,” Wing Commander Jack Foley, commander of the Australian C-130 here, said. “Our withdrawal from Iraq and new commitments to the [International Security Assistance Force], necessitated a review of our concept of U.S. Air Force photos/Staff Sgt. Robert Barney operations.” A Royal Australian Air Force honor guard from No. 37 Squadron renders hon- The review determined ors to the last C-130J to take off on a mission from here, Thursday. The that consolidation would yield squadron is moving its operations to another location in Southwest Asia af- significant efficiency gains ter six years of operating here. Members are deployed from RAAF Base Rich- in logistic support as well as mond, New South Wales, Australia in support of Operation Slipper, Austra- reduce fatigue on personnel and lia’s military contribution to international campaigns against terrorism. equipment. the [Combined Air and Space together in recent months detachment is drawn from the “While we are sad to be Operations Center] and we and was accelerated recently personnel of No. 37 Squadron leaving our great friends here expect to see our friends around with the success in supporting at RAAF Richmond. They at the [379th Air Expeditionary theatre,” Wing Commander ISAF during the recent 2009 have been deployed here Wing], a team supporting our Foley said. Afghanistan elections. since 2003, contributing to air operations will remain at The plan has rapidly come The Australian C-130 Operation Catalyst in Iraq, and Operation Slipper and the ISAF in Afghanistan. During the past six years, the Australian Aircraftsmen have completed nearly 11,000 sorties, delivered 63 million pounds of cargo, carried 130,000 passengers and assis- ted wounded personnel during 2,300 Aeromedical Evacuation sorties. “None of the mission milestones would have been possible without the fantastic level of support we get from [not only] our own support elements, but also our great friends at the 379 AEW,” Wing Commander Foley said. “Everything from accom- Royal Australian Air Force Sergeant Grahame Barling, No. 37 Squadron load- modation and messing to master, observes the engines on a C-130J prior to departure, Thursday, in assisting with aircraft repairs Southwest Asia. Sergeant Barling is deployed from RAAF Base Richmond, has made this mission possible New South Wales, Australia. and incredibly successful.” Nov. 8, 2009 3 Desert Eagle Feature U.S. Air Force photos/Tech. Sgt. Jason Edwards Lt. Col. (Dr.) Daniel Perala, 379th Expeditionary Medical Group optometrist, measures the pressure of a patient’s eye using a Goldmann aplanation tonometer here, Monday. The optometry clinic provides anything from routine exams to emergency eye care. Doctor Perala is deployed from the Wyoming Air National Guard in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Optometry helps Airmen see eye to eye By Senior Airman is the mission of the 379th so that we can keep them in Currently, the optometry Michael Matkin Expeditionary Medical the fight,” said Lt. Col. (Dr.) service is able to provide 379th Air Expeditionary Squadron optometry services. Daniel Perala, 379 EMDG some essential, non-routine Wing Public Affairs “Having good eye care is optometrist, deployed from the eye treatment for eye essential for [servicemembers] 153rd Airlift Wing, Wyoming infections, glaucoma and From basic training, in a deployed environment Air National Guard. anterior uveitis, which is military servicemembers like arthritis of the eyes, are taught the importance Colonel Perala said. They of attention to detail. When can also perform ultrasounds cleaning and inspecting and x-rays, and examine weapons, servicemembers the eyes for more serious ensure they are free from problems such as retinal carbon and in good working detachment and embedded order. If the optics on a shrapnel. Additionally, this weapon is dirty, scratched is the only eye clinic in the or otherwise in disrepair, U.S. Central Command area the problem is immediately of responsibility certified corrected to ensure the for post-operation laser eye weapon can be zeroed in on surgery care. target. It is often said that To help make the base’s the body is also a weapon optometry clinic more system and keeping it clean established, there are plans and in good working order to expand the clinic to a is essential in keeping larger facility with a greater servicemembers in the fight. diagnostic and treatment Keeping the human capability. weapon system optics clean, “Having an expanded in good repair and zeroed in clinic here that can perform Desert Eagle 4 Nov. 8, 2009 Feature advanced procedures is ship with [the Army post] and faster than delivery times issued frames can re-order. important so that we can we work closely together to at CONUS bases where it However, to be able to re- meet the growing mission ensure all servicemembers can take more than a month order.