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5th MDG recognizes work dedication

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jose L. Hernandez
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  With so many Personnel Reliability Program Airmen arriving here to join Air Force Global Strike Command's mission of nuclear deterrence, it is important to realize the hard work the 5th Medical Group personnel perform to ensure these Airmen are certified and ready to accomplish their duties.

As one of the largest PRP bases in the Department of Defense, medical staff must ensure all members in the program are ready to fulfill their tasks as soon as possible.

Staff Sgt. Lorry A. Arellano, 5th Medical Support Squadron uniform business office manager and manpower analyst is responsible for ensuring the 5th MDG is ready to accomplish this mission.

"Part of my job is to analyze the resources and manpower capability of the 5th MDG," said Sergeant Arellano.
"Given that we are the biggest PRP base, we need to ensure we are adequately manned."

She explained the importance of having sufficiently managed services at the 5th MDG.

"We have to make sure we have enough flight doctors and mental health providers to handle the Airmen's needs," the sergeant continued. "When there are undermanned units, it increases their work loads because as more and more base personnel use our medical facilities, the demand on the staff becomes higher."

Sergeant Arellano recognized the great work and sacrifice medical personnel have put in throughout the year. She also applauded them for the many hours they've worked.

"Personnel here might feel like no one notices how much work they accomplish, but I see firsthand the efforts of their hard work, especially of the providers in our clinics," added Sergeant Arellano.

She noted she has worked hard to perform her job duties to the best of her ability ever since she arrived here one and a half years ago.

"When I first started here, even our own office was undermanned, and it was tough seeing other services with the 5th MDG with the same problem," she continued. "Yet that's one of the reasons I've focused as much as I can to accomplish my duties."

"We notice when there are services in need of manpower and resources and we do our best to ensure leadership at the upper echelons here know about it," Sergeant Arellano added.

She explained that while her job is very demanding, the fact that her work environment has a very positive vibe, gives her encouragement to give it her all.

"The morale among personnel here is astounding," the sergeant added. "We know we can all count on the cooperation of each other; we're like a team."

"A lot of us are more than just co-workers, we are friends who enjoy each other's company," said Sergeant Arellano.

The sergeant attributed the close-knit work environment to the 5th MDG's success in the AFGSC 2010 Air Force Medical Services Awards. Personnel from the 5th MDG were personally awarded 35 team and individual recognitions by Col. Mark A. Koeniger, AFGSC surgeon general.

Sergeant Arellano was awarded the Outstanding Resource Management Airman of the Year Award for her hard work and dedication.

"The fact that so many of us won awards at the major command level shows what a great environment the 5th MDG is and how we all come together and support and motivate one another," she said.