USAFE EMEDS supports Americans evacuating Cyprus

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt Davina Petermann
  • USAFE Public Affairs
LARNAKA, Cyprus --  Twenty-two Airmen from the 435th Medical Group, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, have treated more than 600 Americans departing Lebanon during the recent humanitarian crisis.

The doctors, nurses and medical technicians who make up Expeditionary Medical Support Element team are assisting in the medical treatment of Americans who are in Cyprus waiting for transportation to the United States.

Medical teams are strategically staged in Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol and Pafos, ensuring that doctors are available at every stage before they depart for the United States.

"This is my first deployment and I'm so excited that I can be here to help," said Staff Sgt. Tanya Ayon, 435th MDG medical technician. "We're working long hours and it can be trying, but definitely worth it."

In addition to doctors, nurses and medical technicians, the 435th MDG EMEDS team deployed with holding beds, medication and a variety of medical supplies.

"The mission of EMEDS is to set up as a primary care unit to diagnose and treat minor illnesses," said Col. Carol Vermillion, 435th MDG commander. "We send more critical patients to local hospitals in Cyprus."

The doctors on scene also have the authority to decide if a patient needs to be given priority on the next available flight.

"When a patient is considered critical and stable to fly, we will put them on a list for the next available flight," said Dr. (Capt.) Justin Cummings.

Though some of the patients are critical, the EMEDS team is also treating more common ailments from headaches and the common cold to dehydration and hypertension.

"We're seeing a lot of people who are dehydrated and some who have run out of critical medication," said Captain Cummings. "If we don't have what they need on hand, the local Cyprus doctors can get what we need."

In addition to working in four different locations in Cyprus, one four-man team also flew into Beirut to treat American citizens.

After flying into Beirut, they traveled with the American citizens on a ship into Cyprus.

"We were able to provide them with what they needed until they were able to get to safe ground," said Dr. (Maj.) Francis Carandang.

According to Capt. Sara Short, a pediatric nurse with the 435th MDG, most of what they did was provide peace of mind and remind them to drink plenty of fluids.

"We saw about 10 patients on the ship, but most of what we provided was reassurance that they would be safe and taken care of," said Captain Short.