LAJES FIELD, Azores -- There were some new faces at Lajes Field as Reservists with the 434th Aerospace Medicine Squadron worked hand-in-hand with members of the 65th Medical Group.
12 members of the 434th AMDS, part of the 434th Air Refueling Wing at Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind., were at Lajes Field conducting their annual tour. During their time in the Azores the team, jokingly nicknamed the "Dirty Dozen," received training they normally could not get from their home base.
While these reservists do receive training at their unit, they also get a lot of training on their annual tours, which for two weeks out of the year they are sent to active duty wings were they get experience they can't normally get at their home unit.
"This has been absolutely wonderful; we have had a great experience here," said Lt. Col. Linda Campbell. "We were welcomed warmly when we came, training has been excellent, we have accomplished all our goals and we are just more than pleased."
While the Reservists were here, they were welcomed with open arms by the 65th MDG, who met them at the airport and ensured the reservists' time at Lajes was productive and well spent.
"It is absolutely amazing," said Staff Sgt. John Dietz, a dental technician with the 434th AMDS, and whose statements echo the rest of the team. "Our host unit is (Wright-Patterson Air Force Base) and we go there all the time, so we are kind of used to the way they run things and we came here not knowing what to expect."
After working two weeks at Lajes Field and experiencing the support from the 65th MDG, the members of the 434th AMDS could tell they were a valued part of the Lajes team. "It definitely makes you feel welcome and that you are important to the mission here," said Sergeant Dietz.