ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- The 3rd Medical Group here is ready to provide treatment to the more than 3,700 Soldiers of Fort Richardson's 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, who have returned or are preparing to return from deployment.

"The men and women of the 3rd Medical Group have been making the necessary preparations to meet their medical needs," said Maj. Kristen Sorrells, 3rd MDG commander's action group director. "After a 15-month deployment with boots on the ground, the medics know there will be many specialty medical requirements to heal these Soldiers."

Although the Soldiers are returning now, the preparation for their return and servicing their medical needs actually began soon after they deployed in 2006.

"Shortly after their departure, we started making plans for how we would meet their medical needs," said Col. (Dr.) Eli Powell, 3rd MDG commander. "We knew even before they left there would be a large demand for specialties such as neurology and mental health (upon their return). As the months passed and reports started coming in from the field, we became aware there would be many more requirements in other specialties, such as orthopedics, podiatry and audiology."

With these reports, the medical group leadership determined additional staffing in several sub-specialty areas would be required to meet the healthcare needs of the Soldiers. To meet this demand, Integrated Process Teams were formed to assess the situation and validate treatment requirements. These teams consisted of both Air Force and Army personnel.

In addition to current needs, future needs were also taken into account.

"The projected growth of Fort Richardson between now and 2013 was also considered, as new (staff) positions were additionally validated," Colonel Powell added. "After many months of meeting, coordinating and sharing information, the result is an increase in staffing levels appropriate to meet the increased demand for medical care, both short-term and long-term."

Although the hospital staff is preparing to meet the needs of both current and future patients, they said it's important to remember there will be a period of time before the new staff members are in place.

"As with any process, there is a time lag," said Major Sorrells. "Although 95 new (staff) requirements have been added, most will not be in place until the summer of 2008. Until then, there will be a cadre of manning assistance sent from other Military Treatment Facilities in the Air Force and Army."

Most of the Army assets will be working at the Troop Medical Clinic at Fort Richardson; however, a small number will be embedded at the 3rd MDG, making it a true joint medical operation, Major Sorrells added.

Treatment at the Elmendorf Hospital is only one part of the process. As a joint effort between the 3rd MDG, U.S. Transportation Command, the Air Force Theater Hospital at Balad Air Base, Iraq, and Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, every effort is made to bring wounded troops back to Alaska for treatment.

"So far, 135 wounded Airmen, Soldiers and Marines have been brought home," said Colonel Powell. "If an Airman, Soldier, Sailor or Marine can be surgically or medically cared for at the 3rd Medical Group, the wounded warrior is routed to Alaska using TRANSCOM's aeromedical evacuation system. This allows the wounded to recover close to or at home with their family, friends and units."

One other important thing for people to prepare for is the possibility of an increased wait time in some specialty areas, said Major Sorrells. The specialty access standard wait time is 28 days, and patients will be referred for treatment in the local area, when possible. However, people should realize the wait time off-base may be just as long - if not longer. Urgent cases may require sending patients to the lower 48 for treatment.

This also means preventing missed appointments is even more critical.

"In fiscal 2007, there were 13,321 medical appointment no-shows, costing the 3rd Medical Group nearly $800,000 of lost productivity in internal operating funds," said Airman 1st Class Jacqueline Terlaje, 3rd Medical Operations Support Squadron. "When appointment demands are high, this becomes more problematic."

The base hospital has initiated many steps to help prevent missed appointments, one of which is the new appointment reminder system, which calls patients two days before a scheduled appointment. During this call, patients are given the option to cancel appointments.

A medical group operation of this kind - preparing to meet the specific needs of personnel returning from deployment - is not only unique; in this case, it's also historical.

"This will be the first time in history an Air Force treatment facility provides medical care for a returning Army unit of this size," said Colonel Powell. This is all in addition to the hospital's mission of proving medical care to Alaska's veterans, Coast Guardsmen, 37,000 empanelled beneficiaries and military retirees.