LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Front Line Warrior: Staff Sgt. Melissa Benifield
Deployed Unit: 376th Expeditionary Medical Group, Transit Center at Manas
Deployed Duty Title: Medical technician
Home Unit: 633d Surgical Operations Squadron
Hometown: Charleston, S.C.
Time in Service: Active duty Air Force four years
Describe your deployed duty and the tools you use to accomplish it: Previous deployment experience helps me identify those in need of medical care and those who may just need someone to talk to. I use my Immunization Back-up Technician training every day!
What do you bring to the fight? My patient care skills help Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen transition from a deployed setting to garrison and vice versa.
What are you overall thoughts and opinions about your mission there? The main mission here is people, whether it's moving people to their deployed locations or helping the people of Kyrgyzstan through humanitarian assistance. I enjoy talking with people, so this is a prime location for me to do this to all branches of the military.
Supervisor Comments: "[Staff Sgt.] Benifield has been an outstanding Medical Technician in many ways since being deployed here at the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing. She volunteered to lead a [self-aid and buddy care] course in Oash, Kyrgyzstan. She also was pivotal in helping get all our 4N's IBT trained, propelling our immunization rate from 89 percent to 100 percent, 1-15 in the [area of responsibility. [Sergeant] Benifield has also been our supply and equipment custodian, maintaining a $220,000 account and ordering another $30,000 in supplies, helping to expand our services and capabilities.