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12th Flying Training Wing

The 12th Flying Training Wing, headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, develops the next generation of Air Force aviators and enlisted aircrew by providing world-class flying training and education. The wing trains Airmen in the fundamentals of airmanship, instruction and leadership, preparing them for success in operational units across the Air Force. Through undergraduate Combat Systems Officer training, Pilot Instructor Training, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, Remotely Piloted Aircraft pilot indoctrination, enlisted aviator training, and other specialized programs, the 12th FTW produces skilled, adaptable, and combat-ready professionals capable of meeting the demands of today's complex operating environment while strengthening the future of American airpower.

 

 

12FTW Units

aircraft mechanic, performs maintenance 12th Maintenance Group
12th Maintenance Group
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Photo of an undergaraduate combat systems officer graduation 479th Flying Training Group
479th Flying Training Group
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An Airman inspects an aircraft 12th Operations Group
12th Operations Group
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Articles

Wing pioneers innovative diabetes education program

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kevin Iinuma
  • 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas --  A 59th Medical Wing education initiative aims to ensure all Department of Defense patients with diabetes can learn how to manage their disease and lower their risk for complications.

Diabetes affects more than 130,000 Department of Defense beneficiaries, including 50,000 Airmen and family members worldwide.

“We are very excited about the potential for using the Military Interagency Satellite Training platform (MIST) in an innovative way to improve patients’ education and provide consistent training across the DoD,” said Dr. Tom Sauerwein, Director of the Diabetes Center of Excellence, or DCOE.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends all patients with diabetes receive Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME), which saves money, reduces long-term complications, and is associated with overall glucose management. Consequently, the Air Force Medical Operations Agency tasked the DCOE with addressing and standardizing all aspects of diabetes care, including DSME.

The DCOE, part of the 59th Medical Operations Group, began piloting a satellite-based real-time interactive DSME program in 2016, providing up to 10 hours of ADA-recognized educational material directly to patients via the MIST platform, and an in-person class at the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center. The program, a series of four 2.5-hour classes, delivers the components of diabetes education as defined by the ADA.

“We developed the current DSME via telehealth model to allow disease managers to provide ADA recognized DSME in their clinics,” said Dr. Jana Wardian, DCOE research director.

Many military treatment facilities do not have the resources to provide DSME to patients, Dr. Wardian said. The pilot study tested a telehealth model in the San Antonio area by coordinating with disease managers to provide ADA-recognized DSME to patients at the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center and JBSA-Randolph clinics via the MIST.

Available in all military treatment facilities, the MIST is approved as a consistent means of delivering interactive DSME. Statistically, the education program rates high in satisfaction with both patients and providers. The pilot program proved successful, and now the DCOE is preparing to expand the DSME to reach more patients.

“We project adding four or five additional MTFs beginning January 2017.” The final phase, expanding to all DoD MTFs, will be determined when staffing issues are addressed,” said Nina Watson, Diabetes Educator for the DCOE Outreach program, and the driving force behind the DSME via telehealth initiative.

The DCOE telehealth team will train other MTF staff interested in participating in remote DSME, develop policies and tools to ensure consistent reporting of data, and evaluate cost effectiveness and patient outcomes.

“I enjoy (teaching patients) at other bases; it’s fun,” said Ellen Cobb, DSME coordinator for the ADA-recognized program at Wilford Hall. “The patients also seem to enjoy the classes and are excited about opportunities to join us in DSME programs from other clinics.”
  

For more information about the DSME via Telehealth program, call Watson at 210-292-0307. For more information about scheduling a DSME class at Wilford Hall, call Cobb at 210-292-2818.

Public Affairs Information

Tours of the 12th Flying Training Wing are provided to various community organizations, high schools, businesses, and academic military recruitment programs to educate their members about the 12th FTW mission.

Due to the high volume of requests and limited public affairs resources, tours and static displays are limited.

Please submit all requests in writing to the 12th FTW Public Affairs by email to 12ftw.pa.1@us.af.mil at least three weeks but no more than six weeks in advance. You may also call 210-652-1272.

Tours are not available on weekends and may be cancelled at any time because of increased security measures or mission requirements. The 12th FTW does not host tours of Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph at-large. To schedule a tour of JBSA-Randolph, please contact JBSA-Randolph Public Affairs at 502abw.pa.official@us.af.mil or dial 210-652-4410.

If desired, requestors must arrange all meals. PA will provide contact information to base eateries. Modified tours will be granted for those with limited mobility - this must be stated on the tour request. If not stated, it is assumed that mobility is not an issue.