High-Handed Help

An Emergency Medical Support Health Response Team from JB Langley-Eustis, Va., deployed a 22-room mobile hospital to a mountaintop in Peru to train and treat local villagers as part of a US Southern Command partner program. The 6,300-square-foot tent hospital—erected on a soccer field in Huancavelica, nearly 13,500 feet above sea-level—”was so impressive,” said Maj. Gen. Mark Sears, SOUTHCOM’s deputy commander for mobilization and reserve affairs. The team of 40 airmen from Langley-Eustis’ 633rd Medical Group trained together for six months preparing to set up, provision, and run the hospital as part of SOUTHCOM’s New Horizons engagement in Peru. This medical outreach began on July 2 and ran for two weeks. “This experience will make us a better hospital back at home station and prepare us to deploy in future contingencies,” said 633rd MG physician Capt. James Small. (Huancavelica report by Capt. Candace Park)