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Medical Mission in Nicaragua
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Medical Mission in Nicaragua
By Tech. Sgt. Rebecca Danet,
Joint Task Force-Bravo Public Affairs
AYAPAL, Nicaragua (AFPN) -- Day
two for the Soldiers and Airmen of Joint
Task Force-Bravo working their first medical
readiness mission to Nicaragua dawned bright
and clear in Managua May 15.
But 80 miles to the north, the skies told a
much different story.
For the aviators of the 1st Battalion, 228th
Aviation Regiment, the turn in weather meant
making the call between accomplishing the
mission and getting everyone home safely.
Fortunately, for the medics performing the
MEDRETE, and for the men, women and children
of the remote village of Ayapal, the
aviators were able to do both.
Taking off from Managua at 7 a.m., the
helicopters met a wall of low clouds and
rain that forced them to return to the
capital. Just 70 minutes later and loaded
with fresh fuel, the CH-47D Chinook and
UH-60 Black Hawk took off again. The pilots
found a break in the clouds and landed in
Ayapal at 10:25 a.m., allowing the
passengers to complete their medical
mission.
As pilots, flight engineers, crew chiefs and
medics, the 1-228th aviators are charged
with flying people and supplies in support
of commanders on the ground, said Army Chief
Warrant Officer 2 Darren Scudder, a Black
Hawk pilot.
The most difficult part of the job here in
Central America is balancing mission
requirements with the obstacles presented by
the fluctuations in weather, said Army Chief
Warrant Officer 2 Nicholas Cerveny.
But the rewards outweigh the difficulties,
he said.
"I like that we're supporting units that are
making a difference in the community," Chief
Cerveny said, "and increasing the standing
of the United States among Central American
countries."
That's exactly what the three flight crews
are doing in Nicaragua this week. Two
JTF-Bravo Black Hawks and one Chinook
carried 34 Soldiers and Airmen here to
perform two MEDRETEs in Ayapal and El
Almendro May 13 to 20. The medics are here
to build partnerships within the region by
bringing medical care to those most in need.
With the MEDRETE sites located in remote
villages more than a 6-hour drive from the
nation's capital, the mission wouldn't be
possible without the work of the 1-228th
aviators. The fliers were able to put
everyone and all of their equipment in place
in less than 90 minutes.
"I love these guys," said Army Lt. Col.
Richard Somers, mission commander. "They're
all professionals and they always get us
where we need to go with all our equipment."
In all, JTF-Bravo medical personnel saw more
than 1,000 patients in Ayapal. Next, they'll
move on to El Almendro where they expect to
see more than 1,000 more.
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