910th Airlift Medical Squadron heads for Dominican Republic

VIENNA — A 28-member team from the 910th Airlift Wing’s Medical Squadron will leave Saturday via a jet-powered C-17 strategic cargo transport aircraft for a medical training mission to the Dominican Republic.

The specialists will provide humanitarian family, dental and eye care for upward of 10,000 people during their 14-day deployment, scheduled to last until May 8.

The mission, known as Dominican Republic MEDRETE (Medical Readiness Training Exercise) ’09, will provide valuable training to the 910th’s specialists as well as give much needed medical care to the needy people of the Dominican Republic, said Col. Ronnie Roberts, 910th Medical Squadron commander.

The MEDRETE concept is designed to develop and cultivate global relationships by providing culturally aware, linguistically competent regional health-care experts in support of U.S. national strategy, Roberts said.