Medics return from Costa Rican training mission

Published May 19, 2009
By Steven Pivnick
81st Medical Group Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Seven 81st Medical Group medics recently returned from a nine-day medical readiness training exercise in Costa Rica.

During the mission to Puerto Quepos, Costa Rica, from April 19-27, the Keesler personnel joined New Mexico Army National Guard members visiting nine sites and seeing more than 1,500 patients over five days.

"We split into two teams," explained Maj. (Dr.) Alfonso Vargas, 81st Medical Operations Squadron. "Many of the sites were accessed by Black Hawk helicopters."

The other six Dragon Medics were Col. Elizabeth Bowers-Klaine, 81st Medical Group chief nurse; Lt. Col. (Dr.) Nicola Choate, Maj. (Dr.) Justin Cummings and Capt. (Dr.) Clint Hoangquocgia, all from the 81st MDOS; Tech. Sgt. Tasha Thomas, 81st Medical Support Squadron; and Senior Airman Rebecca Escajeda, 81st Dental Squadron.