The Air Force medics deployed to Manas AB, Kyrgz Republic, a facility that serves as a major way station for aircraft and personnel headed toward operations in Southwest Asia, now have a hard-walled hospital. For the past seven years, since operations began in Afghanistan, the medics have worked in a tent facility to treat some 600 patients each month. The 376th Expeditionary Medical Group initiated the project nearly six years ago. Following a ribbon cutting July 17, the first patient received treatment in the new hospital on July 19, kicking off “a future of first class health care at Manas,” said Col. Christopher Bence, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing commander. (Manas report by A1C Ruth Holcomb)
The Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness revised the Defense Department’s COVID-19 guidelines. The new rules clarify what’s meant by being “up to date” on vaccinations and when personnel must wear masks in vehicles, among other changes.