ALCOAST 330/24 - AUG 2024 2024 FLIGHT SURGEON OF THE YEAR AWARD

R 271720Z AUG 24 MID600117577124U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 330/24
SSIC 1650
SUBJ: 2024 FLIGHT SURGEON OF THE YEAR AWARD
1. COMDT (CG-7) is honored to announce the recipient of the Flight
Surgeon of the Year Aviation Award for 2024. The Coast Guard
Aviation Association sponsors the Coast Guard Flight Surgeon of the
Year Award for the Flight Surgeon who best demonstrates commitment
and service to aviation medicine and operational support of Coast
Guard Aviation.
2. The Flight Surgeon of the Year Award is presented to LCDR Edward
Eastman. LCDR Eastman served as the sole Flight Surgeon for
PACAREA's largest air station and all of Base Kodiak's tenant
commands, encompassing over 900 personnel, 240 of whom are on
flight orders. Working with limited specialty care options on a
remote Alaskan Island, he routinely assisted personnel navigating
the complex process of Travel to Obtain Healthcare (TTOHC) to
ensure members' medical needs were met when services were not
available in Kodiak. Additionally, he is one of only four flight
surgeons who stood 24/7 on-call duty for medical cases covering
District 13 and 17 areas of responsibility. Even when not on duty,
LCDR Eastman could always be reached for any emergent need,
operational or personal.
3. Operationally, LCDR Eastman expertly handled 50 medical
evacuation cases. He skillfully pieced together medical details
using all available resources and provided SAR Mission controllers
and aircrews medical recommendations for time-to-care, updated
statuses, and passed relevant information needed for airborne
transport. Even when not officially on duty, he frequently provided
guidance to duty Rescue Swimmers and other flight crew members to
ensure aircrew safety during patient transports.
4. Due to his swift actions as the Flight Surgeon on duty on 21 JULY
2023, LCDR Eastman was awarded the NOAA Corps Meritorious Team
Commendation following a long-range MEDEVAC of a NOAA member who
risked losing a finger if not expeditiously sent to a hospital
following a mishap at sea. During another notable case, on 19 APRIL
2023, LCDR Eastman responded to a long-range MEDEVAC from M/V YOUNG
HEUNG, where a 58-year-old man suffering from loss of memory and
troubled speech needed evacuation form the vessel and transport to
a higher level of care. LCDR Eastman's expertise was critical to
saving the man's life as his condition rapidly deteriorated during
the 160-mile transit from the vessel to Kodiak.
5. LCDR Eastman selflessly gave back to the Kodiak Island community
both in training and physician services. He regularly volunteered
at the Brother Francis Shelter administering medical exams and
vaccines supporting Alaska state public health initiatives.
Additionally, he collaborated with Kodiak Island Search and Rescue
(KISAR), a non-profit organization of trained volunteers that
benefits the tight-knit community. LCDR Eastman humbly offered his
medical expertise to the volunteer staff through instruction on
topics ranging from first aid to advanced medical care.
6. Fostering relationships across services, LCDR Eastman
participated in Operation Artic Care, an event in which members of
the Air National Guard provide free medical, dental and wellness
care to underserved populations in the state of Alaska. He also
played a role in a simulated mass casualty exercise, where he
helped coordinate the response to a simulated plane crash in which
11 survivors were brought to the local hospital needing emergency
care.
7. I extend my personal congratulations to the award winner,
and to each of the nominated members. Through your actions, you
demonstrated the highest levels of courage and professionalism.
Your efforts are in keeping with the highest traditions of our
service.
8. RADM S. N. Gilreath, Assistant Commandant for Capability (CG-7),
sends.
9. Internet release is authorized.