McConnell medics host Guatemalan air force

by Airman 1st Class Colby L. Hardin
22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

5/29/2014 - MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- Members of the Guatemalan air force visited the 22nd Medical Group's aeromedical assets assigned here, May 19 through May 23.

Col. Leyda Rodriguez de Villagran, Joint Forces public health chief in Guatemala, and Col. Luis Alfredo Salazar Martinez, director of the Air Force hospital in Guatemala, observed day-to-day operations within McConnell's medical clinic.

"This opportunity is opening their eyes and way of thinking; they are able to compare their capabilities against our capabilities," said Lt. Col. Victor Ortiz, 22nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron commander. "The exchange of knowledge will facilitate the implementation of the first flight med clinic in the Guatemalan air force."

"They will gain the knowledge and concept of operations in the aerospace medicine field," he added. "Eventually, building capacity will make their military force stronger and less dependent on the U.S. Also, it will reinforce the friendship and mutual collaboration between both countries."

Rodriguez de Villagran and Martinez both agreed although there were differences between both countries medical facilities, the importance to deliver care for airmen and their families are among their first priorities.

"After seeing the facility, I'm impressed by how the pilots carry out their mission here and how they work together with aerospace medicine," said Rodriguez.

Both colonels said they hope to implement processes they've witnessed here back to their medical facilities.

"I recognize that there are some limitations in the country," said Salazar. "But I hope we can count on the U.S. for support and training in the future."

The exchange between the two nations also allowed the medical group Airmen here to have a new perspective on limitations and challenges medics face in other countries.

"I am impressed of all the great things that they can do and achieve in the medical field with no or scanty resources," said Lt. Col. Victor Ortiz, 22nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron commander. "I guess that we can learn on how to be more cost effective in our programs and how to do more with less."