All 20 of the 20 squadrons, active duty and Reserve, that operate from NAS Whidbey Island were recently awarded the Squadron Blue “M” award for 2010 for sustained medical readiness, according to a Commander, Naval Air Forces message received Feb. 11.

“This is the first time in the history of this base that we had a clean sweep with all squadrons receiving the Blue ‘M’ award,” said Capt. Steve Mattson, Senior Regional Flight Surgeon.

The awards are based on a sustained high level of medical readiness, a viable health promotion program and stringent medical record audit. 

“This is not an easy task and says a lot for the hard work, long hours and dedication to duty it takes to achieve this goal,” said Mattson.

The Aviation/Operational Medicine Clinic works closely with the squadron’s chain of command, targeting risk reduction interventions to reduce morbidity, decrease disability and mortality due to specific disease or injury in their defined population. This combined, focused effort with the hospital is what makes the team so successful when it comes to medical readiness. 

Every active duty member assigned to operational forces receives a comprehensive one-day physical (Physical Health Assessment) that encompasses dental, optometry, labs and immunizations. The persistence of the Corpsmen assigned to each unit who keep a watchful eye on delinquent individuals has been key to overall readiness scores above 90 percent. As a point of interest, the Blue “M” is required for a squadron to earn the Battle “E”.

The Blue “M” also involves a record review by the Commander, Naval Air Forces Surgeon. NAS Whidbey Island is consistently rated as one of the best regions for medical record keeping in the Navy.

Credit for this success goes to:

VAQ-129/HM1 Ryan Grant and HM2 Dillon Sather

VAQ-130/HM3 JeanPaul Vargas

VAQ-131/HN Timothy Orlowitz

VAQ-132/HM3 Michael Servito

VAQ-133/HM3 Samuel Daniel

VAQ-134/HM1 Paul Sarsfield

VAQ-135/HM3 Rebekah Kelley

VAQ-137/HM2 Vladimir Medzyak

VAQ-138/HM3 Amber Hendrix

VAQ-139/HM3 Andrew Michaud

VAQ-140/HM2 Daniel Johnston

VAQ-141/HM3 Bobbie Medzyak

VAQ-142/HM2 Jamie Villarosa

VP-1/HM3 Cesar Verarodriguez

VP-40/HM2 Curtis Wilson and HM3 Joseph Massey

VP-46/HM3 Amelia Rosas

VQ-1/HM2 Richard Chervinski and HM3 Bradley Stilley

VQ-2/HM1 Allyn Brown and HM2 Sarah Connell

VP-69/HM2 Ernest Lovenberg

VR-61/HM2 Megan McKinley

“Our Team Whidbey approach to medical readiness has helped us to set the bar for squadron medical readiness standards Navy Wide,” said Chief Hospital Corpsman David Gray, VP-46, and Directorate Leading Chief Petty Officer, Aviation Medicine, Deployment Health Departments and PHA Clinic.

There are 189 deployable Navy Squadrons/Units that compete annually for the award.

“This year 57 Squadrons/Units will receive the Blue ‘M’ award and of the 57 awardees 20 are from NAS Whidbey Island,” said Gray.

The Aviation Medicine Clinic extends their thanks to NHOH, the Deployment Health Center, PHA Clinic, Dental, Health Promotions, Immunizations, Laboratory, Occupational Health, Optometry, and Preventive Medicine Departments who contributed to their success.