"Log Dogs" lend invisible hand in saving lives

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Nathan Allen
  • 15th Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HAWAII --  Airmen from the Medical Logistics flight of 15th Medical Support Squadron can be likened to the tooth fairy, a fantasy figure held dear by children who is never seen, but the evidence of the gifts she leaves is both obvious and gladdening. A "log dog," however, would probably be more likely to leave a stethoscope or syringe.

From ordering medical supplies and equipment for the 15th Medical Group clinic, storing medical war reserve materials and homeland defense medical supplies, to inspecting first aid kits, the 15th MDSS Medical Logistics flight does everything they can to make sure medical supplies are ordered, received and delivered in a timely manner.

"Without us, the clinic wouldn't be able to function," said Senior Airman Desiree O'Gwin, Medical Materiel Journeyman. "Even though they don't actually see us doing what we do, we actually play a big part in the clinic."

Beyond providing clinics within the 15th MDG the supplies they need to take care of patients, the Medical Logistics flight is responsible for ensuring deploying medical teams have everything they need to establish clinics in austere locations.

"It's important that if any of our assemblages do get tasked to go overseas, the medical tents, supplies and equipment we store are ready for any mission they get tasked for," said Staff Sgt. Freddy Arriaga, non-commissioned officer-in-charge of storage and distribution. "It's important because if it doesn't get done or if there are items that are unserviceable, then the medics can't do their job when they get into theater."

Arriaga said that, while a lot of people don't know or recognize the work that the "log dogs" do, anytime a lab technician draws blood or a doctor listens to a heartbeat, the impact of the Medical Logistic flight's mission is felt. This, O'Gwin says, fosters a partnership between the flight and the "custodians" who use the products they supply.

"I have contact with custodians and I know what they need to function on a daily basis and what they're running out of," O'Gwin said. "I am their go-to person to get them the stuff that they need and to get it to them on time."
One thing the "log dogs" do have in common with other more visible medical personnel is the consistent focus on customer care and saving lives.

"If we don't supply the clinic here with everything that they need, if we're not able to do our job, then the med group can't do their job; they can't see patients," Arriaga said. "They'll be turned away, and that's something that we really don't want to happen. "