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20th AMDS receives ACC SOUSAFFS award

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Stephen Spencer, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aerospace propulsion craftsman, covers his eye while Capt. John Kauderman, 20th Aerospace Medicine Squadron (AMDS) optometrist, tests his peripheral vision at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., March 20, 2018. The 20th AMDS received the Air Combat Command Society of United States Air Force Flight Surgeons Team Aerospace Award for their achievements during 2017, including the optometry flight who had their largest productivity output despite only having 40 percent of their staff at Shaw. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Destinee Sweeney)

20th AMDS receives ACC SOUSAFFS award

A patient asks U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Ashley Ko, 20th Aerospace Medicine Squadron public health technician, about his hearing test results at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., March 20, 2018. The public health flight provides hearing tests for individuals on base including Soldiers, who are required to receive a hearing test annually, and maintenance and security forces Airmen, to ensure their health is not being affected by their occupation. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Destinee Sweeney)

20th AMDS receives ACC SOUSAFFS award

U.S. Air Force Capt. John Kauderman, 20th Aerospace Medicine Squadron (AMDS) optometrist, helps Staff Sgt. Stephen Spencer, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aerospace propulsion craftsman, try on glasses after his eye exams at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., March 20, 2018. The 20th AMDS supports Team Shaw members by performing sight and auditory exams, as well as working to ensure the base environment supports individuals and provides avenues for them to improve their health and fitness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Destinee Sweeney)

20th AMDS receives ACC SOUSAFFS award

Published March 22, 2018
By Senior Airman Destinee Sweeney
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- The 20th Aerospace Medicine Squadron received the Air Combat Command Society of United States Air Force Flight Surgeons Team Aerospace Award, March 9.

The organization gives the award annually to a unit that made significant contributions to the mission and vision of the aerospace community.

“Everybody stepped up to the plate,” said Tech. Sgt. Ivan Smith, 20th AMDS community health noncommissioned officer in charge. “Everybody understood our priorities and the importance of our mission and what we needed to accomplish. Our Airmen took it as a personal goal and challenge.”

The unit, composed of flight medicine, health promotions, public health, optometry and bioenvironmental engineering, has made successes at home station and downrange.

Some of those accomplishments include supporting host nations, augmenting a U.S. Central Command blood transshipment center and changing Shaw’s pre-deployment clearance process to save approximately 3,000 work hours for flightline Airmen.

Due to the work of 20th AMDS Airmen, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, became the only AFB to have calorie information displayed on all base dining menus. Additionally, deployed aerospace medicine Airmen enhanced international relations and provided medic support for Operation Freedom Sentinel and Resolute Support combat missions.

“We do the work, not for recognition, but for the pride we have in what we do,” said Tech. Sgt. Ian Money, 20th AMDS force health management noncommissioned officer in charge. “Our Airmen … get to see that our Air Force-level leaders see the hard work and they’re recognizing us for it. The award gives our Airmen that extra pat on the back to continue working hard and evolving our medical readiness mission.”

The 20th AMDS supports Team Shaw military members and their families by promoting and sustaining a healthy and fit force through illness and injury prevention, restoring health and sustaining human performance.