Answering The Call At Home And Abroad
(April 6, 2010) |
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DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (4/2/2010 - AFNS) -- For
some military members, the call to duty is only surpassed by
the call to help others.
For Air Force reservist and 920th Rescue Wing member Tech.
Sgt. Corey Hellmann, it's his motivation and mission in
life. |
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| Tech. Sgt. Corey Hellmann (right), a reservist from the 920th Aeromedical
Staging Squadron at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla.
discusses the best way to load a critical care
patient onboard an awaiting Air Force transport
aircraft for medical evacuation from Bagram
Airfield, Afghanistan. U.S. Air Force photo |
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When he isn't providing respiratory therapy at his civilian
job in a level-one trauma center in Tampa, Fla., Sergeant
Hellmann, in his military job, can be found administering
critical care to wounded warfighters being evacuated from
the war zone.
As a member of the 920th Aeromedical Staging Squadron at
Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., Sergeant Hellmann has deployed
to both Iraq and Afghanistan in recent years as a member of
a critical care air transport team.
The CCAT and aeromedical evacuation teams comprise highly
specialized nurses, physicians, medical technicians and
respiratory therapists charged with the responsibility of
patient care during medical flying missions.
After enlisting in 1997, Sergeant Hellmann served on active
duty and in the Reserve before joining the unit in 2006. His
first deployment came in 2008 when he served on a CCAT team
in Iraq.
"I wanted to extend my deployment. It was my first one and I
enjoyed my job immensely," said Sergeant Hellmann.
Although there wasn't a position for him to remain in Iraq,
Sergeant Hellmann sought out other avenues to lend his
support. His persistence paid off and not long after
returning home from Iraq, he deployed to Afghanistan in
2009.
While he was performing similar duties during both
deployments, Sergeant Hellmann noted that it was two
extremely different environments.
"In Iraq, we split the missions with three other CCAT teams
and we would typically fly once a week," Sergeant Hellmann
said. "In Afghanistan, the operations tempo was much higher.
Only two CCAT teams were in place, and we typically flew
three times a week."
"Our crew in Afghanistan flew patients out almost every
single day during the deployment," he added. "We were
extremely busy, but it was rewarding to know we were making
a difference in the field."
It is a sentiment that is shared by his leaders and
colleagues at the 920th ASTS.
"Sergeant Hellmann's dedication embodies what we've come to
expect from the members of ASTS," said Maj. Doug Schulte,
920th ASTS director of operations. "We encourage all of our
Airmen to step up and answer the call. Our mission demands
nothing less."
During Sergeant Hellmann's deployment to Iraq, his entire
CCAT team was composed of members of the 920th ASTS.
"There is something inside that motivates us to do what we
do" Major Schulte said. "You may not always remember
patients' names perfectly, but you carry them with you where
ever you go. It's a calling."
It's a call that Sergeant Hellmann and his ASTS Airmen are
ready to answer again.
"Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps....it doesn't matter,"
he said. "We work hard and together as a team to bring our
men and women home safely." |
By USAF TSgt. Heather Kelly
920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
Copyright 2010 |
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Reprinted from
Air Force News Service
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