Medical Group hosts Honorary Commanders Published April 29, 2011 By Senior Airman Benjamin Sutton 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- A dozen Idaho civic leaders received a tour of the base hospital facilities April 22. The 366th Medical Group hosted the Honorary Commanders as part of an effort to strengthen relationships between the base and local communities. The tour was part of the wing's Honorary Commander Program that pairs local civic leaders with squadron, group and wing leaders. The honorary commanders are given the opportunity to learn about MHAFB while the military commanders learn about the local civilian community. The honorary commanders were given a tour of the medical facilities, observed an emergency room training exercise, as well as demonstrations on how the military responds to local emergencies and national disasters, and is prepared for any type of emergency - from minor coughs and colds to full cardiac arrest. "I was so impressed with the level of detail in the training and how well the Airmen knew the information," said Nathan Wheeler, a Boise, Idaho realtor and the 366th Comptroller Squadron's honorary commander. "Watching the litter carry, I envisioned the Airmen carrying it across the battlefield working as a team to save someone's life." A fellow honorary commander agreed. "The detail with which the servicemembers interacted during the deployment training accidents and the decontamination demonstration impressed me the most," said Don Ricker, owner of DR and Associates, director of marketing for ES-O-EN Corporation and the 726th Air Control Squadron's honorary commander. "As civilians, we do not understand the support, mechanics, logistics and detail involved in a deployment. There is a lot of behind the scenes work to prepare Airmen for the jobs they do." Not only were the honorary commanders impressed with the demonstrations and information provided, but the Gunfighter medics enjoyed the interaction and opportunity to showcase medical procedures and expertise. "Sharing our military medical mission as combat medics with the local civilian leaders was the best part of today's experience," explained 1st Lt. Adam P. Flackus, 366th Medical Support Squadron Logistical Flight Commander. "I believe the honorary commanders enjoyed the accident extraction demonstration the most and were impressed with our capability to remove contamination from infected servicemembers and civilians." The 366th MDG provides more than 25 clinical services and six alternate support services to MHAFB and the surrounding areas. Its members also stand ready to assist local medical first responders in case of a local emergency or crisis. "I appreciated all the briefings from the different sections which is crucial in understanding the Air Force mission," said Cindy Bond, honorary commander for the 366th Operations Support Squadron and an instructional dean from the College of Southern Idaho. "I learned a lot and have a new appreciation for the Air Force."