Ribbon cutting for new 403rd Aeromedical Staging Squadron Facility
The 403rd Aeromedical Staging Squadron held a ribbon-cutting ceremony today for their new state-of-the-art facility at Keesler.
This facility marks the first time the units from New Orleans and Biloxi will come together full-time under one roof.
Prior to Hurricane Katrina, the two units were separated in their own cities. After the storm hit, the New Orleans unit moved to Keesler Air Force Base.
The squadron was then separated amongst multiple facilities at the base and stayed apart for 16 years. Lt. Col. Lauren Defrates said, “You know, especially this year with COVID, where so many people have been separated from their family members, from their co-workers, that us providing a space that we can safely work together and accomplish our mission just means the world to us going forward.”
The facility allows the squadron to perform their daily functions with new technology such as a medical simulation lab and an audiology booth.
