Expeditionary opto-fabricators help Europe see their importance

By Capt. Robert GallimoreMay 28, 2015

Opto Soldier helps Romanian see
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Cameron Brown, an optical laboratory specialist assigned to 8th Medical Company (Logistics), hands a Romanian captain a pair of glasses fabricated from a pair he was wearing during a distinguished visitor and capabilities tour on May 24. The 8th... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Glasses for your birthday?
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Crystal Baza (right), an optical laboratory specialist assigned to 8th Medical Company (Logistics), measures the prescription of Capt. Jessica Cowles' (left) glasses with a lensometer in order to fabricate a pair of field spectacles that Cowles ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
There's even an app for the Opto Team
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Crystal Baza utilizes a flashlight application from a smartphone in order to accurately measure and identify a prescription for a pair of glasses after a power generation failure during Exercise Combined Resolve IV May 25. The lensometer machine... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Cutting lenses for a customer
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Cameron Brown, with the 8th Medical Company (Logistics), utilizes an edging machine in order to cut down a raw circular-shaped lens to fit a frame for a new prescription while deployed in support of Exercise Combined Resolve IV. The edging machi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Satisfied customers can see
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. 1st Class Kelvin Curry, of Headquarters Company, 30th Medical Brigade, leaves the mobile optical laboratory truck a satisfied customer after walking in with his pair of prescription spectacles after they were accidentally stepped on by a comrade... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

By Capt. Robert Gallimore

30th Medical Brigade Public Affairs

GRAFENWOEHR, Germany - "These glasses are clearer than the pair I gave them for the prescription!" Capt. Jessica Cowles exclaimed as the visually impaired 30th Medical Brigade officer dons her new pair of prescription glasses.

Right now, brand new spectacles can be fabricated inside an up-armored, containerized optical laboratory mounted on to the back of a light medium tactical vehicle, or LMTV, parked on an unimproved helicopter landing zone at Grafenwoehr Training Area.

The 8th Medical Company (Logistics) based out of Baumholder, Germany presents an unparalleled combat multiplier, which they deployed forward from their home base in Baumholder to Grafenwoehr Training Area in support of Exercise Combined Resolve IV.

CbR IV is a Joint Multinational Training Command, U.S. Army Europe-directed exercise held from May 9 - June 26 at the Grafenwoehr and Hohenfels Training Areas in southeastern Germany and includes about 4,700 participants from 13 nations.

The small company of more than 50 Soldiers includes two optical laboratory specialists as part of a small section known as the optical fabrication element. In 10 to 15 minutes, these two Soldiers are able to produce a well-fitted pair of spectacles authorized for use in all U.S. Department of Defense uniforms on the spot.

Service members needing bifocals should expect a turnaround of about 24 hours. A spectacle prescription dated within the past year is ideal, but if a Soldier is in theater and needs glasses critically, any personal prescription will suffice so long as it includes the pupillary distance, which is the distance between the centers of the pupils of each eye. Having the correct pupillary distance ensures that the optical centers of the lenses will line up properly over the Soldier's pupils. Glasses made without the correct pupillary distance may be less comfortable, can cause eye strain, or even induce discomfort, distortion, or headaches.

Capt. Cowles' birthday occurred on May 25 while her unit, the 30th Medical Brigade supports CbR IV. The 421st Medical Battalion (Multifunctional)'s executive officer was able to coordinate with their subordinate unit, 8th MLC to fabricate a new pair of glasses for use in tactical environments as a birthday present for Cowles. She arrived at 3:40 p.m. to drop off her current pair in order to attend a meeting. By 4:20, she returned and was immediately handed a freshly produced pair of black framed spectacles by the unit's commander, Capt. David Rodriguez.

During a walkthrough by some Belgian Army soldiers on May 27, the optical fabrication team took off a Soldier's glasses as they arrived to the unit's area of operations. Inside the 8th MLC's supply warehouse tent in the middle of the tour, Spc. Crystal Baza took the Soldier aside to size frames to his face. By the time the tour came to the "expand-o van," the unit's nickname for the optical lab vehicle, Spc. Cameron Brown was cleaning off a pair of brown frames with the Soldiers prescription fitted and ready for wear.

"Unbelievable. I did not think that these would be so good, but wow!" stated the Belgian soldier, thoroughly impressed with the fast and accurate work of the two Soldiers.

Baza and Brown are the two optical laboratory specialists who have been wowing visitors with this unique and expedient capability.

"No matter how experienced or great you are, anyone can mess up," said Brown as he was asked how important each piece of equipment was to every pair they produce. Spc. Brown oriented the tour to the small 20-foot by 6-foot laboratory.

He explained each machine's importance to making spectacles as he produced another pair like it was by muscle memory.

"After almost five years of doing this job for Soldiers, I love the satisfaction of helping people most of all," explained Baza when asked what she loved most about her job.

Together, the two specialists have 10 years experience in optical fabrication between them.

Related Links:

30th MED BDE

30th MED on Facebook

421st MMB on Facebook