At Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, mission success hinges on the readiness of every individual, from Airmen and Marines specializing in ammunition to the skilled weapons loaders, dedicated crew chiefs, meticulous maintainers, and courageous pilots. During Red Flag-Alaska, a demanding ten-day exercise, a team of three flight surgeons played a vital role in maintaining this readiness, ensuring approximately 2,000 personnel were “fit to fight.”
These flight surgeons, Capt. (Dr.) Thomas Beachkofsky from the 80th Fighter Squadron at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea; Lt. Col. (Dr.) Alan Flower of the 335th Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C.; and Navy Lt. (Dr.) Kevin Winegar from VMA-211, Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Ariz., operated around the clock. They rotated through 24-hour on-call shifts and dedicated clinic hours to guarantee the medical preparedness of every participant. This exercise also provided them with invaluable experience in a simulated deployed environment, working alongside different branches of the military and supporting aircrews operating diverse aircraft.
During the intense exercise, each flight surgeon attended to approximately 10 patients daily. The most common ailments they treated included colds, musculoskeletal injuries, and sleep disturbances – typical issues that can impact performance in demanding operational settings. For all three doctors, this Red Flag-Alaska was a first-time experience, and notably, none had yet been deployed as flight surgeons, making this training particularly crucial. A key aspect of the “deployed” environment at Red Flag-Alaska was the deliberate constraint on resources, mirroring the realities of field operations.
“To simulate a deployment scenario, I was limited to the equipment and medications I brought with me,” explained Captain Beachkofsky. “However, it was reassuring to know that in a genuine emergency, the extensive resources of Eielson Air Force Base and the local medical community were available to ensure the highest standard of patient care could be maintained.”
Lieutenant Winegar proactively enhanced the deployed atmosphere by relocating the majority of his clinic operations to an aircraft hangar.
“My aim was to be physically closer to the Marines I support,” Lieutenant Winegar stated, referring to the AV-8B Harrier crews under his care. “Volunteering to set up my clinic in the hangar ensured I was readily accessible to them, essentially on call 24/7.” This move underscored the commitment of flight surgeons to embedding themselves within the operational environment and prioritizing immediate access to medical care for those on the front lines.
Although the Air Force and Navy doctors were based in different locations during the exercise, they made it a point to collaborate and share insights. These discussions revealed both the commonalities and the unique challenges each faced at their respective home bases.
“It was incredibly insightful to learn about their daily routines and the specifics of their initial training pathways,” remarked Colonel Flower. This inter-service dialogue fostered a deeper understanding of the diverse medical environments within the U.S. military.
“Working directly with flight doctors from other branches of service is an exceptional opportunity,” Captain Beachkofsky emphasized. “While the fundamental principles of medicine remain constant, the practical application, the ‘art’ of medicine, varies distinctly across the services. Many stereotypes exist about each branch, some grounded in truth, others not, but one undeniable fact is that each service develops unique characteristics that can influence patient care. The chance to learn directly from colleagues in other branches is invaluable. It allows us to understand these unique aspects and refine our approaches to provide the most effective medical care possible, tailored to diverse operational contexts.”
Lieutenant Winegar further highlighted the importance of joint training exercises like Red Flag-Alaska for deployment preparedness. “Bringing different branches of the military together in a training environment like Red Flag-Alaska is crucial preparation for real-world deployments,” he stated. “This type of exercise allows us to anticipate the kinds of injuries we are likely to encounter in a deployed setting, identify areas where we need to enhance our medical knowledge before deployment, refine our understanding of necessary supplies, and optimize our strategies for maintaining the health and readiness of our forces while deployed.”
Beyond providing medical care, the flight surgeons actively participated in flight operations, gaining firsthand experience alongside the aircrews they supported. This involved flying in various aircraft and directly engaging with aircrew members in their operational environment.
“Experiencing the unique challenges associated with each type of aircraft and the demands placed on its aircrew is incredibly valuable,” Colonel Flower explained. “Witnessing these challenges firsthand reinforces the critical importance of the ‘flying’ aspect of our role as flight surgeons. It validates our understanding of their operational environment and allows us to provide more relevant and effective medical support.”
Captain Beachkofsky, whose regular assignment involves flying with F-16 Fighting Falcons at Kunsan Air Base, seized the opportunity to fly aboard KC-135 Stratotankers from McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, and Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., as well as a B-52 Stratofortress from Barksdale Air Force Base, La.
“By experiencing flight operations in different aircraft and interacting with diverse pilots and aircrews, I gain a much deeper appreciation for the specific stressors each community faces and the unique aeromedical concerns associated with each aircraft type,” he elaborated. “This firsthand knowledge is invaluable. I can bring these insights and experiences back to my clinic and have a more informed understanding of the specific medical requirements and operational limitations relevant to each airframe. While all aircraft share similarities, the nuances are best understood through direct experience. Personally experiencing nine Gs in an F-16 or lying in the boom operator’s chair of a KC-135 provides a vastly different and more impactful understanding than simply reading about it. This experiential learning is crucial for developing a truly effective and well-rounded flight surgeon.”
Lieutenant Winegar echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the broader benefits of this immersion. “It helps me gain a more comprehensive understanding of the physical and mental stresses and fatigue that aircrews experience, not just from the flight itself, but also from the extensive preparation and post-flight debriefing processes,” he noted. “Furthermore, I believe that when pilots and maintainers see their flight surgeon taking a genuine interest in their work and learning about their operational challenges firsthand, they develop greater respect for the medical role. This increased respect fosters trust and encourages them to approach the flight surgeon with any health concerns they may have, ultimately contributing to a healthier and safer squadron environment.”
Whether it was operating with limited resources, flying alongside aircrews in diverse aircraft, or collaborating with medical professionals from different service branches, the flight surgeons unanimously agreed that Red Flag-Alaska provided invaluable training and experience.
“I cannot overstate the profound impact this experience has had on my development as a flight surgeon,” Lieutenant Winegar concluded. “This exercise served as my first real exposure to a simulated deployment environment. I gained a level of confidence and camaraderie with my squadron that would have been impossible to achieve otherwise. While the patient volume was not high, the knowledge I gained about practicing medicine in a deployed setting is immeasurable. Now, when a real deployment becomes a reality, I will be far better prepared to develop and execute effective medical support plans.”
“Participation in exercises like Red Flag is essential for flight doctors,” Captain Beachkofsky affirmed. “Beyond providing crucial real-time medical support for our Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines, these exercises are priceless learning opportunities. Red Flag-Alaska provided me with an experience closely mirroring a deployed setting, something I had yet to encounter. It allowed me to observe firsthand the most common medical concerns in such environments and to learn directly from the experiences of others. It is an unparalleled opportunity to learn about the diverse missions of different aircrews, their unique operational stressors and demands, all through direct, personal experience.”
