Graduation is milestone for surgical apprentice course Published March 30, 2011 By 81st Medical Group KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MIss. -- The 81st Medical Group's Surgery Services Apprentice Phase II course presented a graduation certificate to Airman Zachary Meadows March 11. Airman Meadows, who received an assignment to Travis Air Force Base, Calif., is the first Keesler SSA graduate to complete the eight weeks of Phase I training at the Fort Sam Houston Medical Education and Training Campus in San Antonio in the new consolidated Air Force and Navy surgical technician course. The class selected Airman 1st Class Trishia Fitchett, an 81st MSGS surgical technician, for the Preceptor Award. Staff Sgt. Derrick Meeks, assistant course supervisor, administered the "Surgical Technologist Pledge." Colonel Brown addressed the student and guests. His graduation marked the successful completion of the intense six-week course. Tech. Sgt. Brandon Williams, supervisor of the intensive six-week Phase II of the course, said the14-week program gives experience in all facets of surgery, including sterile processing, patient transportation, circulating duties in the operating room and assisting the surgeons during surgery. Airman Meadows was awarded his three skill level as a surgical service apprentice and eight semester hours earned towards a Community College of the Air Force degree.