Maj. Carolyn “C.J.” Newhouse, deputy chief nurse of Air Force Reserve Command’s 446th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron at McChord AFB, Wash., is the first Air Force Reservist to be chosen as a Flight Nurse consultant to the Air Force Surgeon General. Since taking on the position, she has made several recommendations to improve flight nurse readiness skills. “I have been involved in reviewing new regulations related to AE patient care including an expanded pain managements section,” she explained. Newhouse also participates in a monthly teleconference with the AE clinical working group at Air Mobility Command and regularly discusses general nursing issues with other nurse consultants. Asked if the extra duty has been a problem for a Reservist, Newhouse credits the support of her civilian employer and her commander with her new role, which is a three-year appointed position.
The Air Force has begun depriving new trainees of more sleep and will soon ramp up the stress level in Basic Military Training to better prepare Airmen for the increased strain of combat operations such as Epic Fury.
