McGuire Air Force Base, N.J. - On May 10 the Medical Squadron of the 108th Air Refueling Wing, New Jersey Air National Guard, will be participating in exercises at the Combat Medical Readiness Training Center in Alpena, Mich.

During this training, 70 "Guardians of Freedom" from the 108th Medical Squadron including physicians, physician assistants, nurses, medical technicians, public health, bioenvironmental engineering, medical administration, dentists, dental technicians, laboratory technicians, optometry, and cardiopulmonary personnel, will hone their wartime medical readiness skills. The 108th Medical Squadron will operate an Expeditionary Medical Facility and will also receive training in Military Assistance to Civil Authorities.

The deployment, which will last through May 19, will concentrate on medical operations, establishment of a deployed medical treatment and casualty processing station, and the ability to survive and operate in a chemical and biological environment. This training offers the 108th Medical Squadron a unique opportunity to learn aspects of contingency medicine and operations under hostile situations in austere environments as well as medical evacuation of casualties to state of the art medical facilities.

For more information about the 108th Air Refueling Wing and this event, contact their Community Manager, Major Denise Waggoner, at 609-754-4173, or by email: denise.waggoner@njmcgu.ang.af.mil.