Photos

China Lake, CA

HM1 Brian Romero, a native of Gilbert, Arizona, rappels from a helicopter as an SMT with VX-31, known as the “Dust Devils,” based at NAWS China Lake. Romero serves as the sole medical provider and air crewman aboard the aircraft, delivering critical care in extreme conditions. Stationed at NMRTU China Lake, he also leads the Aviation Medicine department, ensuring aviator readiness and mentoring junior Sailors, while supporting VX-31’s 24/7/365 SAR operations across a vast AOR, including bases ranging from NAS North Island all the way to Nellis AFB, as well as civilian rescues in Kern, Mono, Tulare, and Inyo counties and National Parks. His role blends high-angle rescue expertise with paramedic skills, embodying the demanding and fulfilling life of an SMT (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy). Share

China Lake, CA

HM1 Brian Romero, a native of Gilbert, Arizona, works on a helicopter as an SMT with VX-31, known as the “Dust Devils,” based at NAWS China Lake. Romero serves as the sole medical provider and air crewman aboard the aircraft, delivering critical care in extreme conditions. Stationed at NMRTU China Lake, he also leads the Aviation Medicine department, ensuring aviator readiness and mentoring junior Sailors, while supporting VX-31’s 24/7/365 SAR operations across a vast AOR, including bases ranging from NAS North Island all the way to Nellis AFB, as well as civilian rescues in Kern, Mono, Tulare, and Inyo counties and National Parks. His role blends high-angle rescue expertise with paramedic skills, embodying the demanding and fulfilling life of an SMT (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy). Share

China Lake, CA

HM1 Brian Romero, a native of Gilbert, Arizona, rappels 80 feet from a helicopter during a reenlistment ceremony and search-and-rescue training flight on January 27, 2025, near NAWS China Lake, where he serves with VX-31, known as the “Dust Devils.” Romero is an SMT responsible for providing critical medical care as the sole provider aboard the helicopter while also serving as an air crewman. Stationed at NMRTU China Lake, he also oversees the Aviation Medicine department, ensuring the medical readiness of aviators and mentoring junior Sailors, while supporting VX-31’s 24/7/365 search-and-rescue operations across a vast region, including military bases ranging from NAS North Island all the way to Nellis AFB, as well as civilian rescues in Kern, Mono, Tulare, and Inyo counties and National Parks. During the flight, Romero hoisted a VX-9 XO 50 feet into the aircraft after securing him in an Air Rescue Vest harness, following a reenlistment ceremony held on a snowy peak, showcasing the extreme conditions and high-angle rescue skills that define his unique role (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Eric Coffer). Share

China Lake, CA

HM1 Brian Romero, a native of Gilbert, Arizona, works as an SMT with VX-31, known as the “Dust Devils,” based at NAWS China Lake. Romero serves as the sole medical provider and air crewman aboard the aircraft, delivering critical care in extreme conditions. Stationed at NMRTU China Lake, he also leads the Aviation Medicine department, ensuring aviator readiness and mentoring junior Sailors, while supporting VX-31’s 24/7/365 SAR operations across a vast AOR, including bases ranging from NAS North Island all the way to Nellis AFB, as well as civilian rescues in Kern, Mono, Tulare, and Inyo counties and National Parks. His role blends high-angle rescue expertise with paramedic skills, embodying the demanding and fulfilling life of an SMT (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy). Share

Groton, CT

GROTON, Conn (Mar. 14, 2025). A Sailor holds a paper copy of the Submarine Environment Fit (SUBFIT) feedback report, developed by the Naval Psychological Readiness and Human Performance (NPRHP) team at Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory (NSMRL), and recently approved for expansion across the enlisted Submarine Force. NSMRL, part of Navy Medicine Research & Development and based out of Groton, Connecticut, sustains the readiness and superiority of undersea warfighters through innovative health and performance research and works to lead the world in delivering science solutions to ensure undersea warrior dominance. (U.S. Navy photo by Emily Swedlund/Released) Share

Bremerton, WA

Get a Grip on Your Snack…clinical dietitians assigned to Navy Hospital Bremerton advocate smart snacking by choosing nutritious – and tasty – choices when there’s a need for a nourishing energy boost. Instead of reaching for chips or crackers, consider nutrient-rich alternatives like fruits, vegetables, and proteins. These options not only supply energy but also deliver essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber, helping you stay full longer. Naval Hospital Bremerton currently has three dietitians with Lt Randy Le, MS, RD, Megan Magness, RD and Traci Taipale, RD. They provide medical nutrition therapy to active duty, dependents and retirees through all of the lifespan, from newborn to geriatric. Patients can self-refer or have a referral placed by any provider. NHB’s Nutrition Clinic is located on the fifth floor, available from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday or by calling, 360-475-5566 (Official Navy photo by Douglas H Stutz, NHB/NMRTC Bremerton public affairs officer). Share

Bremerton, WA

Advances in operational medicine for Navy Medicine and Defense Health Agency was on full display with the annual Continuous Process Improvement Fair held at Naval Hospital Bremerton, May 10-13, 2025. Hospitalmen Austin Elrod and Cadence Chacon presented Ophthalmology Department’s submission, ‘Ocular Triage and Challenges of Standardization’ noting there was a lack of accurate ophthalmic triaging at the initial point of care, resulting in deferred patient referral and delays in care. Their goal was to standardize the triage process with initial [patient] presentation at primary and urgent care clinics, reduce time delays for urgent and emergent ophthalmology cases and reduce potential patient harm through delays in reporting for care. Project lead was Lt. Cmdr. Lan Nguyen, assisted by team member HM2 Quinniece Mosley (Official Navy photo by Douglas H Stutz, NHB/NMRTC Bremerton public affairs officer). Share

Bremerton, WA

Advances in operational medicine for Navy Medicine and Defense Health Agency was on full display with the annual Continuous Process Improvement Fair held at Naval Hospital Bremerton, May 10-13, 2025. Lt. Justin Roelofs pointed out that the Neurology Clinic, with project leads Lt. Cmdr. Margaret Mitzkewich, himself and team members Hospital Corpsman 1st Class William Brown and HM2 Kyle Champion, determined that they were retrieving approximately 16 vials per week of Botulinum from the inpatient pharmacy. Not a difficult task, but time consuming. Due to the constant need for refrigeration and inability to pick up in bulk, there was the continuous need to only pick up one order at a time. Until a properly suited refrigerator was identified and relocated in the clinic (Official Navy photo by Douglas H Stutz, NHB/NMRTC Bremerton public affairs officer). Share

Bremerton, WA

Advances in operational medicine for Navy Medicine and Defense Health Agency was on full display with the annual Continuous Process Improvement Fair held at Naval Hospital Bremerton, May 10-13, 2025. Navy Medicine Readiness Training Unit Everett Laboratory submitted their ‘Lab Order Reference Guide’ presentation, with project lead Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Alessandra Vera explaining to the judging panel that ship providers homeported at Naval Station Everett were encountering challenges when they tried to place lab orders. Vera and her team members of HM2 Moncho Cabahug, HM2 Caleb MartinezSewell and Ms. Jezieca Cachero devised their project around distributing a lab order reference guide – with regular updates – to all providers on the waterfront to ensure a seamless and efficient ordering process for lab work (Official Navy photo by Douglas H Stutz, NHB/NMRTC Bremerton public affairs officer). Share

San Diego, CA

The Operational Medicine Health Informatics Advisory Group (OPMHAG) for Fleet, Navy Medicine, and Joint Operational Medicine Information Systems (JOMIS) program leaders demonstrate the Battlefield Assisted Trauma Distributed Observation Kit Joint (BATDOK-J) during their visit at Naval Medical Forces Pacific, Feb. 27. BATDOK-J is a hardware tool that enables first responders to document patient care at the point of injury and during en-route care. (Navy photo by Arsenio R. Cortez Jr.) Share

San Diego, CA

Cmdr. John de Geus, chief health informatics officer for the Medical Resources, Plans and Policy Division of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, provides an overview of the Operational Medicine Care Delivery Platform (OpMed CDP) to Rear Adm. Guido Valdes, Naval Medical Forces Pacific commander, and Capt. Victor Diaz, NMFP deputy commander, Feb. 27. The OpMed CDP, a key element of the JOMIS program, aims to facilitate efficient and accurate documentation of care provided at Role 1 and Role 2 patient care, transforming Expeditionary Medicine (EXMED) capabilities and enhancing the effectiveness of medical forces. (Navy photo by Arsenio R. Cortez Jr.) Share

San Diego, CA

Cmdr. John de Geus, chief health informatics officer for the Medical Resources, Plans and Policy Division of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, provides an overview of the Operational Medicine Care Delivery Platform (OpMed CDP) to Naval Medical Forces Pacific leaders, Feb. 27. "We need a system that is easy to use, even in high-stress environments," said de Geus, who is also the director of health informatics at the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. "OpMed CDP provides a seamless and integrated ecosystem that enhances patient care, from point of injury to Role 3 facilities." (Navy photo by Arsenio R. Cortez Jr.) Share