Creech unveils new Medical Aid Station facility

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alice Moore
  • 432d Wing Public Affairs
CREECH AFB, Nev. --  Base officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new 4,161 square foot Creech Medical Aid Station Feb. 12.

The aid station is the first permanent medical facility to be established since the activation of the 432d Wing, which is the largest tenant unit on Creech AFB, in May 2007. The layout of the facility will enhance medical care efficiency, privacy, and patient comfort, according to base officials.

"This new facility is more efficient and functional to our needs than where we worked out of before," said Tech. Sgt. Freda Henderson, 15th Reconnaissance Squadron, independent duty medical technician.

The facility was built in Tennessee and completed in just over four months before being shipped to Creech AFB for placement on foundation.

"The successful completion of the medical aid station demonstrates the cooperation and teamwork shared between our medical warriors, who support both Team Nellis and Creech with world-class health care," said Col. Christian Benjamin, 99th Medical Group commander.

At the ceremony, Colonel Kory Cornum, Command Surgeon, Air Combat Command, said the facility was a result of a desire for leadership to enhance mission readiness at Creech.

"It took a lot of innovation to make this facility happen," Colonel Cornum said. "Less than a couple hundred yards from where we're standing, we have folks fighting the fight in Iraq and Afghanistan right now making things safer for the troops on the ground. This facility is important for them."

The new building will bring about a 50 percent increase in examination rooms and a dedicated treatment room. The Medical Aid Station will be able to provide full flight physicals and physical health assessment examinations, drug urinalysis testing, gas mask fit testing and sick call services. Dental services will also be made available three days a week.

Over the course of the last year and a half, Creech's Medical Aid Station has prevented Airmen having to commute to Nellis AFB for medical care, which has resulted in more than 40,000 saved man hours.

"This new capability now offered will improve the quality of life for Creech Airmen as they continue to support our no-fail 24/7 combat ops mission in support of the Global War on Terrorism." said Col. Chris Chambliss, 432d Wing and 432d Air Expeditionary Wing commander. "The new medical facility is yet another example of our (leadership's) commitment to taking care of our Airmen,"