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Story and photos by Airman 1st Class Kenny Holston
Kaiserslautern American
***image1***Hidden back in a tiny office at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center you’ll find a small group of Marines that make up the Marine hospital liaison team. These Marines work around the clock tending to wounded Marines that have arrived at LRMC from different deployed locations. “We receive five to eight wounded Marines a week, we provide care and comfort for our fellow Marines and are here for them when no one else is,” said Marine Staff Sgt. John Saenz.
Not only does the liaison team look after wounded Marines, they handle everything that an injured Marine can’t handle at the time; like updating medical records, orders to their next assignment, and travel arrangements. “Taking care of wounded Marines and their needs is our No. 1 priority,” said Marine Maj. Kenny McRostie. “It’s a pleasure and a privilege to be the officer in charge of the hospital liaison team.”
***image2***The liaison team also has two of their Marines, Staff Sgt. Ben Coleman and Sgt. Jason McIntee, at the Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility located on Ramstein Air Base. Staff Sergeant Coleman and Sergeant McIntee help with the loading and offloading of wounded troops onto aeromedical evacuation flights. Each Marine who goes through the CASF is helped and greeted by one of their own. Staff Sergeant Coleman and Sergeant McIntee are often assisted by the Airmen who work at the CASF. “Our mission here at the CASF is great, but it couldn’t be accomplished without the help of the Airmen. Their assistance has made it easier for us to ensure our Marines make it to where they need to go,” said Staff Sergeant Coleman.
***image3*** The CASF receives three to five Marine patients a day all of which are provided with the most comfort possible while waiting to be sent back stateside. CASF members perform two to three patient loading and offloading missions every day. “This is the best job in the Marine Corps,” said Sergeant McIntee. “I know what our patients are going through. I’ve been downrange and have seen first hand what goes on, so to be able to be the one that helps my fellow Marines recover and make it to where they need to go is quite rewarding.”
