18th AF commander visits 375th AMW Published Dec. 3, 2009 By Senior Airman Brian Ellis 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The 18th Air Force commander got a first-hand look at the 375th Air Mobility Wing and its Airmen Nov. 24 and 25. Members of the 375th Air Mobility Wing showed how they Enable Combat Power and tie Scott's mission into the goals of the 18th AF. Lt. Gen. Robert R. Allardice, along with his wife, Susan, and 18th AF Command Chief Master Sergeant James Cody, met with Airmen throughout the wing and toured a variety of work areas to see first-hand how the 375th AMW's mission is accomplished. General Allardice, accompanied by his wife, began the day by meeting with wing leadership for a mission briefing overview and then a windshield tour. The tour was followed by a trip to the Scott Clinic to view $45 million worth of renovation progress and receive updates on health care initiatives. General Allardice stated the importance of continuity of care and ensuring proper turnover of medical issues when a military or family member PCSs or changes providers. The Family Healthcare Initiative, already in place at the 375th Medical Group, provides patients with the same healthcare provider team to ensure a continuity of care throughout their assignment here. He also emphasized the transfer of knowledge from one base to the next so that an individual can have the same care throughout their Air Force life. "The best continuity of care lies with the individual," said General Allardice. "Each person has knowledge of their own health issues, and we need to listen to the patient and ensure we are meeting their needs." Members of the medical education and training staff demonstrated the i.stand, which is a simulation manikin used for medical training. The i.stand is a patient simulator that can be controlled by an operator who designs traumatic care scenarios for medical technician training. After the visit, he toured the Airmen dormitories and visited the Belleville Hall Cyber Café to get a look at the quality of life of young Airmen at Scott. He was able to see living conditions and talk to Airmen to gain insight on their thoughts of their own quality of life. From there, he toured the 906th Air Refueling Squadron and was briefed on their total force integration as the new Active Associate squadron with the Air National Guard's 126th Air Refueling Wing. General Allardice saw the integrated facilities of the 126th and the 906th, as well as the relocated 906th ARS and its refueling capabilities. With the stand up of this Active Association, the 375th AMW will now be administratively responsible for personnel providing airlift and aerial refueling capabilities. On day two, General Allardice toured the 375th OSS control tower. Lt. Col. Michael Grismer, 375th OSS commander, talked about the OSS mentoring program and their way of taking care of the Airmen with issues such as financial planning. General Allardice saw a demonstration of the tower simulator used to prepare air traffic controllers for deployments. The simulator allows different scenarios to be played out, giving the controller experience on how to handle a variety of situations. "The simulator is by far the best tool I've been able to use for upgrade training," said Airman 1st Class Marcus Krieg, 375th OSS, during the OSS brief to the General. The general was briefed at the top of the tower overlooking the base on the integrated efforts of Scott and the Mid-America Airport. The joint crash damage and disaster recovery has saved about $1 million, along with the savings on the cost of keeping only one runway open instead of two during icy conditions. Mrs. Allardice devoted time visiting family support venues such as the Child Development Center, education center, Airman's Attic, the base library and the Airman and Family Readiness Center to name a few. She also spoke at length with senior spouses and key spouses about issues affecting military families.