Photo By 2nd Lt. Maeson Elleman | U.S. Air Force Maj. Deveril Wint, 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron operations...... read more read more
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OKINAWA, Japan - An aeromedical evacuation nurse stationed on Kadena recently claimed the Commemorative Air Force Dolly Vinsant Flight Nurse of the Year Award for her actions throughout 2013.
The recipient of the award, Maj. Deveril Wint, 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron operations flight commander, said she owes the award to hard work and dedication.
“I’m honored,” Wint said. “I’m laid back, but I work really hard. When you have a job, you’ve got to make sure you follow through with it and do it to the fullest and the best of your ability.”
During the award period, Wint is credited with directing a medical crew during 35 missions, 28 of which were combat sorties, which transported 235 patients in the Pacific theater and in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. The major also flew more than 240 combat hours while deployed to Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
However, one mission in particular proved to be one of the most challenging for the Montego Bay, Jamaica, native – a mission that would take her and her crew all the way to Antarctica to retrieve a patient undergoing cardiac complications.
After a career of neonatal nursing experience, Wint hadn’t been an aeromedical evacuation flier for long when the mission arose.
“Going to Antarctica that time in May, was a difficult mission,” Wint said. “For me at that point, I wasn’t even a year into flying. I was sitting alert in Hawaii, and the call came in that they have a patient needed to be evacuated from Antarctica.”
Flying to the icy land mass at that time of year presented several challenges, most predominantly, however, was the weight of a cargo-laden C-17 Globemaster III on thinning ice. This gave the crew only 30 minutes to offload the cargo, retrieve the patient, and take off again.
They extracted the patient and were taking off in 29 minutes.
The discipline it takes to perform in the aeromedical evacuation field is also evident in Wint’s personal life.
An avid runner, the major relieves stress by running more than 30 miles a week. She also plans to begin a doctorate program in the near future.
According to Wint, demonstrating your best at all times, on- or off-duty, is vital to everyday life.
“Do everything with pride,” she said. “I always tell my Airmen, ‘when the uniform goes, you’re still underneath.’ You’ve got to take care of you. I think you should always shoot for the stars.”
| Date Taken: | 11.07.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 11.06.2014 23:55 |
| Story ID: | 147307 |
| Location: | KADENA AIR BASE, OKINAWA, JP |
| Hometown: | MONTEGO BAY, JM |
| Web Views: | 1,431 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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