Let’s get clinical: lab techs keep Fairchild healthy

Staff Sgt. Jessica Portilla, 92nd Medical Support Squadron laboratory technician, observes a pseudomonas plate in the lab at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., Feb. 8, 2013. Portilla plated this strand of pseudomonas for quality control to make sure the analyzers are working properly in the laboratory. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jordan Pollock)

Let’s get clinical: lab techs keep Fairchild healthy

Staff Sgt. Jessica Portilla, 92nd Medical Support Squadron laboratory technician, looks through a microscope at a gram stain slide to determine the presence or absence of bacteria in a urine sample in the lab at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., Feb. 8, 2013. The lab tech can go through an average of 75 to 100 blood samples and other specimens daily. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jordan Pollock)

Let’s get clinical: lab techs keep Fairchild healthy

Staff Sgt. Jessica Portilla, 92nd Medical Support Squadron laboratory technician, draws blood from Gisele Bekemeyer, a patient, in the lab at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., Feb. 8, 2013. Bekemeyer has been coming to the lab since 1965. The laboratory technicians support more than 30-thousand beneficiaries, including active duty, retirees and dependents. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jordan Pollock)

Blue Star Spouse Award

Col. Newberry, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander, and his wife, Jill, presents the Blue Star Spouse Award to Jessica Chadwick, Feb. 11, 2013. The award is presented to Fairchild spouses for their commitment to excellence and support to the Fairchild family. Chadwick is an active member of the enlisted spouses club. Anyone interested in nominating someone for the Blue Star Spouse Award should contact their squadron commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Janelle Patiño)

Fairchild's Finest

Airman 1st Class Randall Lewallen, 92nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron fuel systems apprentice, installs a pressure door on a KC-135 Stratotanker at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., Jan. 28, 2013. Installing a pressure door helps find the exit point of any fuel leaks to the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Janelle Patiño)

Fairchild's Finest

Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Thomas, 22nd Training Squadron NCO in charge of operations, has been selected as a member of Team Fairchild’s elite, Fairchild’s Finest at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. (Courtesy photo)