Medics learn to navigate through training

Airman 1st Class Anthony Particini, 95th Aerospace Medical Squadron bioenvironmental engineer, peeps through a compass during land navigation training here March 26. The training included basic understanding of compass use, topographical features, grid coordinates and distance approximation using pace counts. (Air Force photo by Senior Airman Julius Delos Reyes)

Medics learn to navigate through training

Senior Airman Alexander Adeleye, 95th Aerospace Medical Squadron bioenvironmental engineer, leads his team during land navigation training March 26. The training included basic understanding of compass use, topographical features, grid coordinates and distance approximation using pace counts. (Air Force photo by Senior Airman Julius Delos Reyes)

Medics learn to navigate through training

Airman with the 95th Medical Group used compasses to look for the right direction during land navigation training here March 26. The training included basic understanding of compass use, topographical features, grid coordinates and distance approximation using pace counts. (Air Force photo by Senior Airman Julius Delos Reyes)

Medics learn to navigate through training

Published March 28, 2008
By Senior Airman Julius Delos Reyes
95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Airmen with the 95th Medical Group participated in basic land navigation training here March 26.

The training covered included compass use, topography, grid coordinates and distance approximation using pace counts.

"In today's dynamic deployment environment, familiarization with land navigation techniques is important for all medics," said Capt. Bryan Jernigan, 95th Medical Support Squadron information systems flight commander. "These skills are no longer reserved for just our (combat servicemembers) who go outside the wire. As Airmen, we deploy all over the world and these skills can save lives downrange."

The training culminated with participants navigating an exacting dismounted land navigation course. Nineteen small teams were challenged to locate a series of tent stakes in the ground at distances more than 100 meters.

Captain Jernigan and 1st Lt. Justin Higham, the 95th MDSS resource management flight commander, were the instructors during the training.

"Having the ability to navigate using a compass is a great fallback option," said 2nd Lt. Mike Kan, 95th Aerospace Medicine Squadron bioenvironmental engineer. "I am glad to see that we're still teaching land navigation the old-fashioned way, the way I used to do it when I was a kid."

There is too much reliance on technology today and the use of global positioning system, he said. As accurate as it can be, it isn't always available in the field.

Lieutenant Kan said he enjoyed the exercise because it was conducted in a hands-on fashion.

"The training was practicable and applicable to many land navigating scenarios," he said. "It was one of the most important training exercises I have received."

Captain Jernigan said the 95th MDG Airmen did a great job during the training.

"We accomplished our mission of familiarizing our medics with the basics of land navigation," he said. "As a prior service Army (noncommissioned officer), I feel strongly about every Airman being proficient in basic field skills. This is a course I've wanted to offer to our medics for some time, and I am confident these skills will serve our medics well in the future."