Flight Medicine tech excels quickly

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Bryan Swink
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  In order for any Airman to be qualified to fly, they must meet specific medical requirements that keep them and Air Force assets safe and functioning to continue the mission.

Staff Sgt. Erica Baez, 60th Aerospace Medicine Squadron flight medicine technician, takes pride in her job to ensure everyone that comes through her office gets the best care possible.

"Our entire goal here is to apply the Air Force medical standards to the base," Baez said. "It makes my job easy and fun because we have such a great team within this unit."

The three-man team assists healthcare providers with interpretation and application of medical standards to determine medical qualifications for occupational duty, worldwide duty, mobility status, flying status, special duty, security clearance, professional military education, retraining commissioning and transition to the Air Force Reserves or Air National Guard.

"We are responsible for thousands of Airmen who come through our office who trust in us to ensure their medical records are up to date," Baez said. "It is a lot of administrative work, but we understand the importance of doing a good job.  If we fail or have a lapse in judgment, it can prevent our Airmen from accomplishing their mission."

Baez has excelled in her short Air Force career. She has made the rank of staff sergeant in three-and-a-half years since she first enlisted, recently completed her Community College of the Air Force degree, graduated as a distinguished graduate from Airman Leadership School and is well on her way to a Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition. 

"Sergeant Baez is an outstanding (noncommissioned officer) and Air Force asset," said Tech. Sgt. John Shonk, Baez's direct supervisor within the 60th AMDS. "Her recent achievements at ALS and being coined by our group commander shows how extremely motivated she is and ready for any challenge.  It is an absolute pleasure to supervise and work with such a true professional."