1Lt. Brock Nicholson,110 Medical Group and 2Lt Orlando Bromell, 192 Medical Group, provide medical care to a Hawaiin resident as part of Tropic Care Innovative Readiness Training on March 6.

1Lt. Brock Nicholson,110 Medical Group and 2Lt Orlando Bromell, 192 Medical Group, provide medical care to a Hawaiin resident as part of Tropic Care Innovative Readiness Training on March 6. Tropic Care Innovative Readiness Training is comprised of military personnel assets of the U.S. Armed Forces to include Active Duty, Reserve and National Guard members who provide free medical services and conduct deployment and readiness training while forward deployed to the medically underserved island of Kaua'i, Hawaii from February 26 through March 10. (National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Melissa E. Chatham) (released)

Civil Engineering members build a bridge for patients to walk over after they encountered heavy winds, flooding and torrential downpours in Kapaa, Hawaii during Tropic Care Innovative Readiness Training on March 6. Tropic Care Innovative Readiness Training is comprised of military personnel assets of the U.S. Armed Forces to include Active Duty, Reserve and National Guard members who provide free medical services and conduct deployment and readiness training while forward deployed to the medically underserved island of Kaua'i, Hawaii from February 26 through March 10. (National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Melissa E. Chatham) (released)

Capt. Anthony Batko, Operational Hospital Support Unit, Bethesda, Maryland and Senior Airman Amanda Bean, 110 Medical Group, Michigan Air National Guard provides dental care to a Hawaiin resident as part of Tropic Care Innovative Readiness Training on March 6. Tropic Care Innovative Readiness Training is comprised of military personnel assets of the U.S. Armed Forces to include Active Duty, Reserve and National Guard members who provide free medical services and conduct deployment and readiness training while forward deployed to the medically underserved island of Kaua'i, Hawaii from February 26 through March 10. (National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Melissa E. Chatham) (released)

Patients check in to the medical facility located in Kapaa, Hawaii during Tropic Care Innovative Readiness Training on March 6.

Patients check in to the medical facility located in Kapaa, Hawaii during Tropic Care Innovative Readiness Training on March 6. Tropic Care Innovative Readiness Training is comprised of military personnel assets of the U.S. Armed Forces to include Active Duty, Reserve and National Guard members who provide free medical services and conduct deployment and readiness training while forward deployed to the medically underserved island of Kaua'i, Hawaii from February 26 through March 10. (National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Melissa E. Chatham) (released)

Air National Guard participates in IRT; Free services provided to hundreds

Published March 19, 2012
By Tech. Sgt. Melissa E. Chatham
Air National Guard Readiness Center Public Affairs

KAUAI, Hawaii -- Six Air National Guard units teamed up with Air Force, Navy and Army medical, ophthalmology and dental professionals to provide much needed services to residents as part of the innovative readiness training mission Tropic Care Feb. 26 to March 10 here.
Three field-operated medical facilities were set up in two towns, Kapa'a and Hanapepe, on the picturesque Hawaiian island to provide value-added services to the community and give service members deployment and readiness training.

Optometry was in high demand at the medically underserved Hanapepe IRT facility. Optometrists were able to assist more patients due to the availability of optometry deployment kits.

"I had no idea of how much demand there was in Hawaii for ophthalmology," said Lt. Col. Vince Simoncini, an ophthalmologist with the D.C. Air Guard's 113th Medical Group. "We could be here for a month and I don't think we would ever meet the demand."
Optometrists saw more than 300 patients each day, providing free eye exams and eye glasses.

"We are offering eye exams with a free pair of eye glasses that are available for pickup the next day," said Air Force Col. Jerry Arends, the IRT commander for Tropic Care.
The resources and training allowed the service members to gain valuable real-world experience. They also saw daily improvement in service.

"Working efficiently and adjusting our process to accommodate the patients without cutting corners; that has been valuable training for us," Simoncini said. "The technicians have also been able to do things [hands-on training] that they can't back at home."
The ANG ophthalmologist found the opportunity to help a community in need an eye opening experience.

"The people couldn't be more gracious and kind," Simoncini insisted. "These are the warmest people I've ever met. Training is ultimately why we are here, but we can't overlook the humanitarian aspect of it... that's the real joy in this mission!"