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Dobbins medical team returns from Haiti relief mission

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. James Branch
  • 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. --  Five members of the 94th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron here returned home Jan. 31 after a two-week Operation Unified Response deployment to provide medical care and support for Haitians injured in the devastating earthquake.

While unloading their medical equipment, the recently named "Dobbins Angels" -- Lt. Col. David E. Rodberg, medical crew director, and medical technicians, Capt. Jeff M. Wilson, Master Sgt. Shane C. Grizzle, Tech. Sgt. Alycia J. Jackson and Tech. Sgt. Jason L. Wade -- recounted the conditions of Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, and its citizens after it was struck by the worst earthquake in more than 200 years.

"The conditions were devastating," Colonel Rodberg said. "The damage was far worse than I expected."

The crew reminisced of children crying, confused and in need of medical attention, Haitians with amputated limbs, concussions and burns. Striving to care for as many patients as possible, the crew ran flights around the clock from Haiti to hospitals and trauma centers in the United States, providing treatment to patients 30,000 feet in an Air Force C-130H aircraft.

"You never know what to expect on missions like these," Sergeant Wade said. "It's hard not to get emotional. We just did what we've been trained to do to the best of our ability."

Reserve Airmen train and are ready to deploy whenever called upon.

"My team was outstanding. I honestly think that if we didn't respond in the timely manner in which we did, a lot of people wouldn't have survived," Colonel Rodberg said.

Despite the devastation of Haiti and the nature of the mission, the Dobbins medical personnel felt privileged to be a part of it.

"The Air Force has programs in place to help us cope with missions such as these," Sergeant Wade said. "We don't just work, we serve."