Kingsley Field Guardsmen maintain medical readiness to remain effective, deployable

by Senior Airman Penny Snoozy
173rd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

2/8/2015 - KINGSLEY FIELD, Ore.  -- Air National Guard members at Kingsley Field were recently directed to make their individual health a priority, which prompted much activity in the 173rd Fighter Wing's Medical Group here during the Feb. 7-8 drill weekend.

Members visited the clinic to address various health concerns, but many are there to fulfill annual health requirements such as blood draws, vaccinations, and health assessments are a few of the vital services provided by the clinic on a daily basis.

It is every Airman's responsibility to know their health status and visit the clinic when they are due for medical readiness items.

"Kingsley Field consistently out performs the rest of the Air National Guard," said Lt. Col. Eric Chumbley, 173rd Medical Group.

As of Feb. 7, the 173rd FW is maintaining an overall individual medical readiness rate that is 5.1 percent higher than ANG, 3.3 percent higher than Air Education Training Command, and 1.2 percent higher than their active-duty counterparts.

"With the Air National Guard's responsibility to the state, members can be called to support natural disasters or humanitarian efforts at any moment," said Chumbley who is responsible for tracking Kingsley Field's Individual Medical Readiness. "If our Guardsmen aren't medically cleared to respond to these events, all of their skills become unusable."

Airmen can stay aware of their medical status by visiting "My IMR" found as a link listed on the Air Force Portal. Members can view their overall status and prepare to update any medical items that have come due. Using these tools every Airman can be prepared to activate and use their skills when the need arises.