KODIAK ISLAND, ALASKA -- ARCTIC CARE 2017 kicked off on March 28 with the opening of clinics in Kodiak and other villages throughout the island started receiving services on March 29 as service members work to provide all citizens on Kodiak Island various medical and veterinary services.
The exercise provides training opportunities for U.S. military (Active, Guard, Reserve) and Canadian Health service members to prepare for worldwide deployment while supporting the medical needs of all of communities on Kodiak Island, Alaska.
“Training is a very important mission here,” said Navy Reservist Lt. Cmdr. Donna Meador, Officer in Charge of the Kodiak Clinic. “We are training with other service members to include Army, Air Force, and Navy.”
Efficient teamwork is an important aspect of all military operations, and for all military members participating in ARCTIC CARE 2017 this is no different as there was a very short turn around time to set up all of the clinics for patient care.
“I’m really impressed with the teamwork. Everybody has come together, and it’s like we’ve been working together for years and years, everybody jumped right in,” said Meador.
Another very important aspect of this exercise is setting up and using the medical equipment that all the services deploy with.
“One of the biggest benefits is for our enlisted and officers to be able to put their hands on the equipment that we are going to use when we are deployed,” said Navy Reservist Cmdr. Darryl Simms, Subject Matter Expert for dental services at ARCTIC CARE 2017. “They have to break it down and set it up. Also, they have to use equipment that they normally don’t use.”
Not only are training and teamwork important to the military members participating in ARCTIC CARE 2017, but also the sense of pride knowing that valuable services are being provided to everyone on Kodiak Island.
“Being able to work with the joint services and treat patients that are very appreciative is a really good benefit for me,” said Simms.
Various medical and veterinary services are being provided at the following locations on Kodiak Island:
Kodiak March 28 thru April 5
Ouzinkie March 28 thru April 5 at the Ouzinkie Health Clinic
Port Lions March 28 thru April 5 at the Port Lions Health Clinic
Old Harbor March 28 thru April 5 at the Old Harbor Health Clinic
Larsen Bay April 3 thru April 5 at the Larsen Bay Health Clinic
Karluk March 28 thru March 30 at the Karluk Health Clinic
Akhiok March 30 thru April 2 at the Akhiok Health Clinic
All of the medical service being medical service being offered at ARCTIC CARE 2017:
o Medical screenings
o Optometry
o Dentistry
o Endodontist
o Physical Therapy
o Dietician
o Dental Hygiene
o Pharmacy
o Veterinary Services
ARCTIC CARE 2017 is an Office of Secretary of Defense sponsored, Air Force Reserve Command led, training event coordinated with Kodiak Area Native Association (KANA) and civil authorities in Kodiak, Alaska.