5/25/2011 - MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFNS) -- An Airman assigned to the 23rd Maintenance Group here collapsed on the base's running trail during squadron physical training May 24.
The Airman was transported to South Georgia Medical Center, Valdosta, Ga., where the Airman was later pronounced dead.
The name of the deceased Airman is being withheld pending notification of the next of kin.
"Members of (Moody Air Force Base) are saddened by the tragic loss of one of our own, and my thoughts and prayers go out to the Airman's family and friends," said Col. Gary Henderson, the 23rd Wing commander. "The 23rd Wing will work with the Airman's family and others affected by this loss to provide the support and any assistance they need."
The cause of death is under investigation.
(Courtesy of the 23rd Wing Public Affairs)
Comments
6/2/2011 8:38:38 PM ET I am a former member of the 23rd MXG. I was there and in that unit about four years ago. So, I don't know many people there anymore, but what I do know is that the weather in south GA this time of year is very hot and very humid and some parts of the trail are very open and not shaded. I am saying this because it is very possible that this Airman was a fit, healthy individual and that the PT program in the unit was completely fine, but that he was dehydrated that day. It's too early to speculate. We don't know if the cause was natural or environmental right now. The AF really does the best it can to ensure Airmen exercise in the best possible conditions and are on fitness programs appropriate for individual health. That is why units have PT programs -- smallish groups of people with fitness leaders watching out for problems. I also want to point out that JM is completely right; with the ops tempo what it is, the clinic at Moody cannot seem to keep up. They did their best.
CT, MT
5/27/2011 1:05:18 PM ET Rest in peace, my fellow comrade My heart and prayers go out to your family and friends. To those of you who are saying anything about something other than your sadness behind losing a fellow service member.....SHAME ON YOU!
kelvin vinson, bafb la
5/27/2011 3:23:19 AM ET Sad news. Very sorry for the family's loss. Every decision on AF public heath and preventive medicine is based on the AF medical community's first priority of going home at 1630 and preserving the sanctity of weekends and holidays off. They are in a different Air Force than the rest of us. Good luck changing this cultural dysfunction.
Scott Helmer, Seattle
5/27/2011 12:27:26 AM ET Thank You Vet America
MSgt JR, Korea
5/26/2011 2:15:42 PM ET It SICKENS me that most of you on here are missing the point of this article. AN AIRMAN HAS DIED! STOP speculating and show respect for the deceased. I pray this Airman rests in peace, and I thank this Airman for serving.
Vet, America
5/26/2011 1:28:59 PM ET This isn't the time to comment on the PFT or PHA's. We have lost a member of OUR AF family. Rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family.
SSgt, USA
5/26/2011 11:13:30 AM ET Before the inevitable witch hunt starts, suppose we hold off on the speculation and "I told you so" until the autopsy results are in!
MSgt F V - retired, Ireland
5/26/2011 9:59:32 AM ET It concerns me that as a military we are losing young and healthy individuals during or after PT. This incident, while still under investigation, demonstrates there is a need to review our PHA evaluation procedures. Ask yourself this: Is my PCM doing the best they can to determine my overall health, or are they simply checking the box? I seriously believe we need to reevaluate our medical analysis procedures. We're not cattle or sheep that can be run through the mill and put out to pasture and expected to perform at someone's definition of acceptable performance. If we are expected to be fit to fight and be the warriors we've been told we are, I think some care and consideration should be instilled toward our medical evaluations first. Everyone is not equal in terms of physical fitness abilities, body composition or genetics, and as such we cannot continue to push our Airmen to or past their limits. If we continue to do this, we will find ourselves looking at the loss.
RT, US
5/25/2011 11:31:34 PM ET PB, when one volunteers to enlist in the Armed Forces they are required to go through a military entrance processing station and divulge any existing or pre-existing medical condition. This is checked and signed off by a medical professional. The 23rd MXG should not have to consult with anyone prior to requiring its members to participate in PT because that consulting has already been done. I hope your questioning of the 23rd is not your way of placing blame. They've got more to worry about right now...especially since this individual was one of their own.
FD, PDX
5/25/2011 9:41:21 PM ET First off, condolences to the family and members of the 23rd MXG. Second, AFphysio, your comment is laughable since the PHA is conducted by an online consultation and a med tech who will tell you to eat more vegtables, NOT a doctor. AF health care is a joke when you have 8000 personnel using a clinic with 8 assigned doctors but only 4 available to see patients due to deployments.
JM, NorCal
5/25/2011 8:15:30 PM ET R.I.P.
Austin D, MA
5/25/2011 8:08:39 PM ET You see a actual doctor at your annual PHA. Heck, out here I get an A1C asking me the same questions I already answered on line then running to the back to get the doctor to sign off on it that he examined me without ever actually seeing me.
Disgruntled Airman, Goodfellow AFBTX
5/25/2011 5:24:23 PM ET I would say that any Airman who completes their annual PHA consults with a physician. That said, there could be any number of issues going on here -- supplement use, undiagnosed medical condition, etc. The tragedy here is that this Wing/Group and this Airman were doing their part to be fit, healthy and ready to do the mission, and in the process we lost a fellow Airman.
AFphysio, WAFB
5/25/2011 2:23:43 PM ET First and foremost, condolences to the family of the Airman who died. Most fitness experts tell you to consult with a doctor before you begin a physical training program. But I wonder, did the 23rd MXG consult anyone when they were putting their PT program together?
