Flight med enables pilot training

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Timothy Boyer
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
6/5/2015 Luke Air Force Base, ARIZONA --  An Army unit downrange is under attack. As they do their best to fend off the enemy, they call for an air strike. Minutes later the glorious sound of U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons roars like thunder overhead as the superior accuracy of their weapon systems push the enemy back saving the lives of the trapped service members. This is one of the reasons the 56th Aerospace Medicine Squadron Flight Medicine Clinic does what they do.

"The pilot's job is to get bombs on target and on time," said Capt. (Dr.) Matthew Lindsey, 56th AMDS flight surgeon and Albuquerque, New Mexico, native. "We keep them healthy and fit to fly."

With Luke Air Force Base being ground zero for F-16 pilot training, it is here they learn the critical skills that keep our troops safe overseas. It is the flight medicine Airmen who ensure pilots are fit for flight and are able to safely receive that training.

"We perform flight physicals for people who are looking to become pilots, navigators or any flying position," said Staff Sgt. Brian LaMar, 56th AMDS Flight Medicine technician and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, native. "Flight medicine is essential to the mission because we ensure pilots are healthy."

The flight surgeons are specially trained to ensure the safety of Luke pilots.
"First we are medical doctors who care for pilots, their dependents and other Airmen who are on flying status," Lindsey said. "We are also aerospace medicine physicians. That means we understand the way diseases and their treatment affects the human body at high altitudes. That said, we make judgments about safety of flight due to medical issues."

In addition to flight physicals, the flight medicine Airmen respond to in-flight emergencies, take care of patients suffering acute and chronic issues, and handle administrative functions.

"On a typical duty day, I might review profiles, check in patients, research medical standards and respond to in-flight emergencies," LaMar said.

The variety is different than any other arena, Lindsey said.
"There is no typical day," he said.

While there are administrative challenges to the job, AMDS Airmen find satisfaction in their work.

"There are two things I really enjoy about this job," Lindsey said. "The first is talking to people who are getting an F-16 ride for the first, and most-likely the last time, is fun. They are really excited. Second is seeing pilots return to flying after being ill. They are always excited to get back into the cockpit."

LaMar enjoys the interaction he gets as he assists incoming Airmen in their flight qualification.

"My favorite thing about the job is helping people become pilots," he said.

"Those pilots, both F-16 and F-35 (Lightning II), are the future fighters who will provide much-needed combat support to keep our service members safe for years to come ¬-- and it all begins with a flight physical at Luke Air Force Base."