This past spring, 18 medical personnel from the 514th Aerospace Medical Squadron participated in a two-week, joint force humanitarian mission in the Dominican Republic through the DOD’s Global Health Engagement program.
As lead unit for the AMISTAD 24 mission, the 514th AMDS took on the planning and coordination for 31 personnel from the Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, and Army Reserve to provide services and help increase capacity in the Boca Chica hospital on the outskirts of Santo Domingo. In addition to the physicians, nurses, dental, optometry, and medical logistics personnel, the group also included a three-person Civil Affairs element and an Anti-terrorism Officer.
“The logistics of mobilizing multiple personnel and equipment from various locations and under strict timelines was a difficult task,” said Capt. George Bates, assistant officer in charge and mission planner. “But there is immeasurable value in the training and lessons learned from planning a real-world operation like this one.”
The DOD has had an interest in global health issues since U.S. military members began deploying to areas with new (to us) climates and locales in the early 1900s. Since then, the program has evolved to address specific priorities, like enhancing interoperability, combatting global health threats, and supporting humanitarian assistance.
In addition to these global priorities, the program provides hands-on experience for Reserve and Guard teams who don’t normally work together in a full-time capacity.
“Everyone involved worked together seamlessly, toward the common goal of providing quality medical services, health education and resources to this underserved community,” Bates said. “And the cultural engagement events provided an opportunity for us to interact with our host nation partners and experience the beauty and proud heritage the Dominican Republic community has to offer.”
During their two-weeks at Boca Chica Hospital, members of the AMISTAD 24 mission supported more than 5,000 no-cost health care procedures for just over 1,800 patients, saving them a cumulative total of more than $600,000 in medical care costs. This win-win operation also provided our participating members with 3,629 cumulative training hours.