Rehab program keeps airmen in top shape

Lt. Col. Chris Larkin, 23rd Special Tactics Squadron commander, knows that hardware is important to the military’s mission. Maintaining bombs, aircraft, and weapons systems is critical in fighting the nation’s battles.

Just as important for Larkin is maintaining the airmen of the 23^rd STS. Preparing the combat controllers, pararescue, special operations weather troops and tactical air control parties (TAC-P) for their missions and supporting their physical and mental health when they return home is an integral part of the mission as well.

The Air Force as a whole knows how to acquire and maintain its weapons systems, and Larkin has extended that concept to the troops.

“We understand how to buy and maintain weapons systems, we know that after X number of hours they need to be rebuilt and reconditioned. What we do here is we’re applying that same concept to the human weapon,” he said.

For more on this story, see the April 26 issue of the Navarre Press or subscribe online.