Aerospace medical technician joins 104 MDG, boosts base readiness

Story by Tech. Sgt. Sara Kolinski

104th Fighter Wing/Public Affairs

The 104th Medical Group recently gained a new aerospace medical technician. Airman 1st Class Sharon Mwathi began her career in the active-duty Air Force, but soon realized that the Air National Guard aligned more with her goals.

“I was active duty for two years then switched to the ANG,” said Mwathi. “I wanted to come back home and be close to family and go back to school.”

Mwathi is currently a licensed practicing nurse working at a skilled nursing facility in New Hampshire and part-time as a hospice nurse, but her civilian career is just beginning.

“I’m currently applying for registered nurse programs,” said Mwathi. “My plan is to commission once I get my degree and I look forward to working as a labor and delivery nurse.”

Mwathi attended her first drill with 104 MDG in March and made for a quick start with the unit’s annual Periodic Health Assessment PHAst Track, which aimed to ensure medical readiness for the entire base during a single drill weekend.

“It is not anything close to what I expected, but the people are very welcoming and loving,” said Mwathi. “I have received very good support from my leadership.”

During this drill, Mwathi was assigned to the lab where she assisted with drawing blood for over 500 base personnel.

“We’re very excited to have her here,” said Staff Sgt. Timothy Ramos, 104 MDG aerospace medical team lead. “She’s an asset to the team because she’s coming from active duty, so she already knows a lot of different systems and she brings the experience of a heavy flow active duty side to the national guard side.”