Public health keeps pods sanitary during OAR

By Airman Jared Lovett , 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs / Published September 03, 2021

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U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England pose for a photo after sweeping pods, disinfecting cots, taking out trash and cleaning the grounds at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sept. 1, 2021. Public health technicians go through each pod three times a day to inspect and identify any health risks and hazards, ensuring the safety of evacuees and service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jared Lovett)

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U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Zachary Sanders, 86th Logistics Readiness Squadron files distribution operator, takes out the garbage at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sept. 1, 2021. Ramstein is providing temporary lodging, food, water and medical services to evacuees while they await transportation to other transient locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jared Lovett)

Airmen clean out portable water closets.

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U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Zachary Sanders, left, 86th Logistics Readiness Squadron files distribution operator and Master Sgt. Anthony Williams, right, U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa Headquarters command and control operations policy and procedure manager, take out the trash at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sept. 1, 2021. Ramstein is ensuring that pods remain clean and sanitary for evacuees while they await transportation to other transient locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jared Lovett)

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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Antonio Smith, left, 86th Logistics Readiness Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of personal property, and Staff Sgt. Dylan Williams, middle, 100th Force Support Squadron personelist assigned to Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England and Airman 1st Class Zachary Sanders, right, 86th LRS files distribution operator, take the trash out at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sept. 1, 2021. Ramstein Air Base transformed into U.S. European Command’s primary evacuation hub, supporting one of the largest, most complex humanitarian airlift operations in history. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jared Lovett)

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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Antonio Smith, left, 86th Logistics Readiness Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of personal property, and Staff Sgt. Dylan Williams, right, 100th Force Support Squadron personnelist assigned to Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England pick up trash at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sept. 1, 2021. Ramstein is providing temporary lodging, food, water and medical services to evacuees while they await transportation to other transient locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jared Lovett)

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --

During Operation Allies Refuge, public health technicians from the 86th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron have been keeping the pods sanitary at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

Public health technicians go through each pod three times a day to inspect and identify any health risks and hazards.

“We walk around the whole area seeing if there are water bottles, feces, diapers and things like that and notify [Airmen from the 786th Civil Engineering Squadron],” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Courtney Tancos, 86th OMRS public health technician. “They’re having Airmen, volunteers and manpower go through and clean up the trash.”

Tancos said a challenge that comes with having about 4,000 evacuees per pod is cleaning the bathrooms. There are cultural hurdles to overcome as some evacuees are not familiar with porta-potties or toilet paper.

“Making sure they’re not throwing trash in the toilet is a big thing,” Tancos said. “[If trash] or diapers end up in the porta-potties, the contract to clean the inside of the porta-potties can’t come out, and then that area is overflowing until somebody is able to come out and clean.”

In addition to removing health hazards, the team, which contains 22 members, is making sure each pod has handwashing stations and other things to keep everybody healthy.

“I appreciate what everyone involved is doing, more than just the public health team between the food team and the security forces members, making sure [the evacuees] are safe,” said Staff Sgt. Ivan Velazquez, 86th OMRS public health technician. “This is how much the mission means for us and means to them, making sure that they are safely getting from one place to the next.”