WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Reservists at the 445th Airlift Wing have an obligation to be ready to perform their primary duties and to be able to deploy with 72 hours’ notice. The 445th Aerospace Medicine Squadron is tasked with ensuring Airmen are medically ready.
To help Airmen remain current, notifications are sent to members.
One of the ways Airmen are notified is through the Aeromedical Services Information Management System (ASIMS). ASIMS provides a “MyIMR” page for Air Force members to access their Individual Medical Readiness (IMR) status at any time. In addition, the page also includes information regarding deployment related medical requirements and other medical programs supported by ASIMS. More information about “MyIMR” is available at https://asimsimr.health.mil/imr/myimr.aspx
ASIMS sends twice-monthly email notifications to Air Force members who are due or overdue for any IMR or Deployment Health Assessment (DHA) item. The emails are sent to members’ official .mil duty email address as listed in the virtual MPF. Please note that emails are not sent to .com addresses like yahoo.com or gmail.com. Due to Department of Defense health privacy regulations, the content of the email is generic. The email will say if you are due for one or more required readiness items and will include a link to the MyIMR page where you can see the details. Even if you don’t get an email, you can check your MyIMR page at any time, using the link listed in the Intro section.
What is required for Reservists to stay medically ready?
Dental Exam- Reservists are required to complete a dental checkup annually at a civilian dentist and every three years by an Air Force provider. The provider should complete the DD Form 2813 and each member should email the completed form to the AMDS organization email 445.AMDS.SGD@us.af.mil. If needed, dental insurance is available to service members through Tricare.
Physical Exam- Reservists are required to complete a physical health assessment questionnaire (PHAQ) each year. Previously, there was a 3-year in-person PHA requirement but that has been waived. There are annual requirements for flyers and other occupational shops on an as needed basis.
Mental Health Screening- Upon the completion of the PHAQ, all Airmen should set up a mental health screening through LHI. Instructions are given at the completion of the PHAQ and you can create an account through their website at https://lhi.care/start
Labs- Reservists are required to have lab work performed as required. These include but are not limited to bloodwork, vaccinations and hearing tests.
It is the responsibility of every Airman to ensure they are personally medically ready. To assist in this process, each local squadron has a unit health monitor (UHM) who monitors medical readiness on behalf of the commander. The UHM is a key additional duty to ensure the wing is operating in mission ready status and that the wing commander has the troops available to perform whatever 445th missions come up.
Col. Hans Otto, 445th AMDS squadron commander, is proud of the work of his team. “The professional medics of AMDS are always helping our wing members be medically ready, whatever it takes, for the next fight which could be tomorrow,” he said.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, AMDS under Otto’s leadership has had to quickly adapt to ever-changing operational environments. Tele-working, alternating UTA’s, and manning limitations made it more difficult to ensure that everyone was medically ready during a difficult time.
“Over the last few years we’ve seen the medics band together despite very difficult times to not only survive but to thrive,” Otto said.