Behind the scenes of the 374th Medical Group

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Laszlo Babocsi
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  People may come and go throughout the 374th Medical Group, but how many people actually know what goes on behind the scenes? The Orthotic Laboratory is one of these little nooks people miss or seldom visit.

This laboratory makes and distributes different forms of braces for Airmen and their family members.

"Some of the products we offer are off-the-shelf arch supports, knee braces, wrist braces and ankle foot orthosis, or AFO," said Tech. Sgt. Sean McClintock, 374th Medical Group Orthotic Lab NCOIC. "We also make custom arch supports, plastic and metal AFOs, knee AFOs and hip and knee AFOs."

The main reason most people don't know there is an orthotic lab here is the career field itself is minute in comparison to others in the Air Force.

"We only have five duty locations Air Force-wide and we are the sole orthotic lab in Pacific Air Forces," said Sergeant McClintock. "On average we have 25 personnel in our career field."

Despite the size of the career field, these Airmen make sure the mission gets done, not only for Airmen and their families, but also for their local sister services.

"We service the entire populace of Yokota and take referrals from Camp Zama, Okinawa, Atsugi, and the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo," said Sergeant McClintock. "We also visit Yokosuka Naval Base, to provide our services there quarterly. " 

"I would hope everyone feels they have the best job in Air Force," said Sergeant McClintock. "For me, being an orthotic technician is hands-down the best job in the Air Force. It gives me the best of both worlds. I have patient interaction as well as time in the shop fabricating orthotic devices. It's a perfect balance."