9 SOPS

Leaders from the 9th Space Operations Squadron and 30th Medical Squadron, respectively, pose for a photo in front of the 30th MDG building, Sept. 12, 2015, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. In the spirit of partnership and Total Force teamwork, the 9 SOPS and the 30th MDG collaborated to utilize the clinic facility during Unit Training Assembly, also known as drill weekend, for local Reservists. (Courtesy photo)

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9 SOPS

Lt. Col. Charla Morgan, 30th Medical Group flight surgeon takes Maj. Ramon Rodriguez’s blood pressure, Sept. 12, 2015, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. In the spirit of partnership and Total Force teamwork, the 9 SOPS and the 30th MDG collaborated to utilize the clinic facility during Unit Training Assembly, also known as drill weekend, for local Reservists. (Courtesy photo)

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Maximizing Resources While Building a Stronger Air Force Community

Published Jan. 26, 2016
By 30th Medical Group
30th MDG

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In August 2015, the 30th Medical Group opened its doors one weekend a month to the 9th Space Operations Squadron for 130 Air Force Reservists from the Joint Space Operations Center.

In the spirit of partnership and Total Force teamwork, the 9 SOPS and the 30th MDG collaborated to utilize the clinic facility during Unit Training Assembly, also known as drill weekend, for local Reservists.

The 30th MDG's mission is to deliver health care to military beneficiaries and support the space mission with bioenvironmental engineering and public health. The 9 SOPS four-member health care team's mission is to ensure the unit meets medical readiness requirements. Both organizations celebrated the opportunity to perform their missions in a manner that is cost-effective, convenient, and expedient.

"This initiative is a win-win-win for everyone; the 30th MDG, 9 SOPS, and the United States Air Force," said Col. Melanie A. Prince, 30th MDG commander. "Our partnership connects the MDG to the 9 SOPS mission and enables us to better tailor health to unit performance. The 9 SOPS has a convenient, centralized location to complete medical readiness requirements. The USAF benefits from maximum use of existing resources and reduction in administrative costs associated with Reservists' activation to Active Duty orders for the sole purpose of medical care."

In preparation for the inaugural weekend, the staff from both organizations worked to identify requirements and coordinate logistics to facilitate a seamless execution for drill weekend.

The 30th MDG clinic spaces were prepped with supplies and storage, staff conducted training on medical equipment and computers, and the 9 SOPS staff were oriented to safety and risk management. The teams staffed two trial runs as a final practice prior to the first drill weekend.

"The first weekend was a big success," said Lt. Col. James Mindoro, 9 SOPS director of operations. "The partnership was evident and our 9 SOPS medical team had everything they needed!"

The newly formed partnership between the 30th MDG and 9 SOPS demonstrates the medical community's ability to maximize resources and ensure medical readiness in support of the military mission.