QUANTICO, Va. (April 1, 2013) - - Wounded Warriors stopping in the National Capital Region during their transit home were given a chance to do some site-seeing at the Marine Corps Museum with the help of the U.S. Army Military District of Washington's Medical Evacuation to CONUS Hospitals (MECH) team.
The MDW MECH team provides 24/7/365 support, assistance, and tracking functions for all personnel returning to the United States from Asia, Africa, and Europe for care at Medical facilities. They also inform Army leadership of all casualties arriving at Joint Base Andrews (JBA), Md. and are accountable for the Wounded Warriors once they land and continue until they arrive to their final military treatment facilities.
The patients are taken to 779th Aeromedical Staging Facility (ASF) on JBA; the only East Coast facility designated to receive Medical Evacuation aircraft. The MECH Team, Medical Technicians, doctors, nurses, and other staff welcome the wounded, sick, or injured patients returning from Landstuhl Regional Medical Center through Ramstein AFB in Germany. The MDW MECH team also provides support to civilians and other military branches arriving on MEDEVAC aircraft.
"When Wounded Warriors arrive, we transport them from the plane to the ASF and try to make them as comfortable as possible while they're in transition," said Sgt. 1st Class Thomas E. Bish, Deputy Chief of the MDW MECH Army Liaison Team. "Usually the patients are transported to their final destination the next day. When they aren't able to get on an immediate flight, we like to take them out and show them around the National Capital Region while they wait."
"I really enjoyed the Marine Corps Museum. We were able to leave the hospital and see things that I normally wouldn't be able to see while being stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky.," said Pfc. Leith J. Davis, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 237th Infantry Regiment. "It was nice to get out and see a part of the area during our short time here."
"It was great going to the Marine Corps Museum. It gave me a sense of pride about what we've done in the past and what we're doing in the military today," said Spc. Lawrence Spearman, 289th Engineer Company. "It can get boring just sitting in the hospital all day. I really appreciated the chance to go see the museum."
"We just want to make sure that our Wounded Warriors get the support and care that they deserve," said Bish. Medical, spiritual and to just let them know that we really care."
Related Links:
Joint Force Headquarters - National Capital Region and the U.S. Army Military District of Washington
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