USAFSAM continues to train medical students while helping them stay safe

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – The 2019 novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, has demonstrated the capacity to spread globally. The Department of the Air Force is responding appropriately to protect the health of the force and maintain operational readiness.

The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus and the United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, Air Force Materiel Command’s only technical training schoolhouse for medical training, has actively implemented public health safety measures to protect students attending in-residence classes here.

“The safety of our students is always our first priority,” said Capt. Matthew Smith, USAFSAM Squadron section commander. “We screen the students twice a day and are briefing them daily on possible warning signs and symptoms of COVID-19. In addition, our dorms are receiving increased focus on cleanliness and we have split classes up to allow for social distancing. Our students are always engaged in a robust cleaning routine in the dorms.”

In addition, where possible, innovative educators from the school have shifted some content to distance or tele-learning. “My MTL’s [Military Training Leaders] and I take our charge to protect these Airmen very seriously, Smith said.

There are two types of students who attend training at the USAFSAM school house. Currently, there are approximately 100 pipeline, or non-prior service students in house for 3-level awarding courses. “In addition, USAFSAM is the home of aerospace and operational medicine expertise and we are responsible for training both pre-deployment and clinical currency refresher courses,” Smith said.

USAFSAM has multiple mission essential missions, like the epidemiology lab, currently on the front lines against COVID-19, and critical roles in the aviation and aeromedical pipelines.

“We can’t afford to just close up shop and go home, so it’s up to us to balance mission requirements with force health protection. Many operational elements within the Air Force that are still engaged in the warfighting mission depend on our output. They trust us to get the job done no matter what, and we’re figuring out what that looks like day by day and moving the mission forward,” said Smith.

The U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine trains approximately 6,000 students each year. The school house is uniquely situated within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s 711th Human Performance Wing, which has both research and medical missions that all tie back to increasing Airman availability and safety, enhancing their performance, all while optimizing resources.

Click here for more COVID-19 information.

Students receiving training during the Aerospace Physiology Apprentice Course at the United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine maintain appropriate social distancing requirements April 1. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend people ensure they maintain at least six feet distance between themselves and others to avoid getting sick by sharing the COVID-19 virus. This course awards the 4M AFSC to assist in managing altitude chambers, emergency procedures, and high-altitude operations. Students follow-on to flight medicine shops across the Air Force to assist aviators in remaining current and cleared for flying status. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Matthew Smith)