National Guard Bureau helps upgrade WRANGB medical group

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Brigette Waltermire
  • 137th Air Refueling Wing public affairs
WILL ROGERS AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Okla. --  The 137th Medical Group received new equipment as part of a modernization effort and finished installation of the items, Aug. 12, 2016, in their facilities.

The National Guard Bureau contributed nearly a quarter-million dollars' worth of medical equipment and technical items as a part of the Air National Guard Medical Service medical equipment modernization program.

The 137 MDG received a variety of new equipment, including new laboratory refrigerators, new optometry and audiology equipment, and new fit-test machines for gas masks. Also added were dental, phlebotomy and patient examination furniture, scales, and other medically-concerned items.

"With this new equipment, we're going to have increased capability of doing physical examinations to meet the additional requirements for members of the new intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission," said Senior Master Sgt. Doug Mason, senior noncommissioned officer for the 137 MDG.

The central purchase by the bureau also helps the medical group with cataloguing. In the past, equipment was logged in separate databases for acquisition, repairs and maintenance. Now, the new Defense Medical Logistics Supply System will be the central location of all accountability and maintenance records.

For long-time Guardsmen like Mason, the addition of equipment was a welcomed event.

"I have never seen such a large, one-time funding purchase," said Mason. "It's pretty spectacular to see that much new equipment come into our facility."

The medical group comprises 11 full-time members, five of whom are medical staff who manage nearly 100 people through the clinic each week. The group increases to approximately 60 during drill weekend, supporting nearly 1,100 Airmen across the base.

The improved medical equipment will help streamline members' needs as they come in for processing, and ensure world-wide deployment ability for all members of the wing.