Lackland medics visit C-5M, school house

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Carlos J. Treviño
  • 433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas --  

Nine Airmen with the 59th Medical Support Squadron toured the C-5M Super Galaxy and the Air Force Reserve C-5M School House at the 733rd Training Squadron, Oct. 26 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.

During the tour, the Airmen visited the aircraft on the flight line and learned about its updates and modifications as well as the capabilities of the largest aircraft in the Air Force inventory. They also heard from the aircraft's pilots, loadmasters and flight engineers in order to better understand the wing's flying mission and how their support is crucial.

“It is important that our junior Airmen understand what they do is crucial to the fight,” said Chief Master Sgt. Omar Hardman, Air Education Training Command health services manager. “We (leadership) wanted to make sure that they understand how they affect every single mission that flies out of Lackland.”

The tour concluded at the school house where the Airmen learned about the capabilities of the flight simulator, how the ramp and door trainer is used, and the intricacies of the air refueling part task trainer where pilots learn how to maneuver their aircraft to accept fuel in-flight.

Seeing how his job supporting patient movements comes to life on the C-5M was especially impactful to one Airman.

“Seeing the mission and the aircraft that are being utilized, it takes what we do and gives me perspective,” said Airman 1st Class Troy Brown, medical administrator with the 59th Medical Support Squadron.

Capt. Bilal Rizvi, a medical services officer with the 59th MDSS, said he was glad that the Airmen were afforded the opportunity to visit the 433rd Airlift Wing.

“Being in the hospital, we don’t get to see the operational side of the Air Force,”he said. “It’s very important for our young Airmen to see how the medical mission supports the Air Force and to see the aircraft on base like the C-5.”